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Born on the Fourth of July

(1989, Rated R, Drama, Starring Stephen Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Caroline Kava)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Unflinching story of Vietnam vet turned activist.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 17–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The film includes various types of social intolerance and undue violence on the part of soldiers and the police, but it also revolves around the brave story of a Vietnam veteran who pulls himself up from depression and bodily injury to fight the system.

  • Violence:

    Graphic acts and results of physical violence are shown during the Vietnam scenes. Violence at the hands of police is shown during moments of protest, and drunken acts of violence are shown between injured Vietnam veterans. The film also includes various acts of verbal violence, both between the main character and his family and members of society at large.

  • Sex:

    The film includes discussion of impotence (due to injury), nudity, and sex with prostitutes.

  • Language:

    Profanity used throughout the film to express the frustration, pain, and chaos of various moments (war, injury, social unrest, etc.)

  • Consumerism:

    None, except for a recurring New York Yankees motif.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Excessive drinking and drug use, often to heal the mental and physical pains of the main character (or at least make him forget them). The film also shows the drug use usually associated with the 60s and 70s.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Born on the Fourth of July

Parents need to know that this mature drama contains extreme and disturbing verbal and physical violence and graphic scenes depicting the Vietnam war and the protests against it. They should also know that the film includes scenes of sexual impotence and prostitution.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about issues surrounding what happens in war, including collateral damage, and perceptions and definitions of patriotism. Other possible explorations include how people can reject a war without betraying those who fight and how can people use their rights to peacefully express contradictory opinions.
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