This movie is based on John Grisham's #1 best-selling novel. The content is a little bit rocky. Typical moderate words (sh-t, b---h, ba----d, a--, go------t) are used throughout. Kids smoke and flashes middle finger. Perfect for Pre-teens to watch with parents!
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The Client
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Plucky, terrorized boy at heart of legal thriller.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–15
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Client
Parents need to know that threats of violence and death, often directed against an 11-year-old boy, are constant here. The movie begins with him almost becoming a victim in a murder-suicide (showing how to rig up a car exhaust as a suicide device in the process). Young Mark is no angel, swearing at PG-13 level (as do most other characters) and smoking. Both Mark's family and Reggie's have been ruined by drinking and divorce.
Read our full review by Charles Cassady Jr.
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the relationship between Mark and Reggie. How does she eventually win his trust, despite a dysfunctional background? What could Mark have done differently from the outset, and how are his preconceptions from watching TV cop shows helpful or hurtful? How realistic do you think this movie is? How about TV cop shows?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
Very Good book, Very Good Movie, Prepare for language!
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
An Engrossing and Enjoyable Legal Thriller for Adults and Older Kids
I read John Grisham's THE CLIENT not so long ago and loved it. The young hero, 11-year old Mark Sway, was easy to root for, Reggie was indisputably likable, and the plot moved quickly and just kept picking up speed. I purchased the film from eBay with high hopes. The good news: the film met my expectations and is a great (though not perfect) adaptation of the book. The casting is spot-on. The bad news: It's definatly NOT appropriate for kids under 12 or some very mature 11-year olds. Language is a HUGE issue, with frequent uses of "s**t", "a*s", "d**n", "b**ch", and "bas***d". Young Mark curses too,and one third of the cursing comes from him alone. He also gives a threatening mobster "the finger" and smokes. Violence is iffy. A drunk, suicidal man violently yanks Mark into his car and threatens him while telling him secrets. Later the man shoots himself in the head (offscreen), and Mark is threatened with knives and guns by mobsters. Reggie is almost killed by a mafia member. Mark lies and steals and people we would normally look up too, like the FBI and police, cheat and break rules. But the film is still immensly enjoyable. It is intriguing and holds your attention from start to finish, and Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones shine in roles that it seemes they were made for. Highly recommended.
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