 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
December Boys
- Review Date: June 26, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
1960s coming-of-age tale with Harry Potter star.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that underage boys secretly smoke, drink beer and wine, and try to catch glimpses of women in states of undress. Their attempts are amateurish and relatively innocent. One scene dramatizes an adolescent boy's introduction to kissing and sexuality by a precocious girl slightly older, but experienced. No nudity involved, but there is kissing, suggestive touching, and a clear implication that sexual intercourse takes place when the scene ends. The fact that Maps, the boy involved, is played by Daniel Radcliffe, best known as Harry Potter, adds to the provocative nature of the scene.
What's the story?
Four young friends from an Australian orphanage, all with birthdays in December, receive a surprise two-week Christmas holiday in a small, close-knit seaside village. Once there, in the midst of the generous, homespun, and occasionally eccentric members of the community, the boys learn that one of them may be adopted by an idealized local couple. The competition that arises among them threatens their friendship and their loyalty. At the same time, Maps, the oldest of the boys, falls in love with the beautiful niece of one of the residents and is forced to come to terms with some decidedly adult emotions and actions.
Is it any good?
This is a beautifully photographed and deceptively simple film. Australia has never looked so wonderful. The people who impact the lives of the four orphans are revealed to have complex and often difficult stories themselves. Part of the boys' journey is learning how first impressions are often deceiving. Their coming-of-age involves more than the usual pain of self-awareness. DECEMBER BOYS takes into account the intricacies and nuances of the human heart, and respect for and deeper understanding of others. The sexual encounter between Maps and Lucy is the one element of the movie that makes it questionable for younger kids and not-quite-so-mature teens.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the fact that this film is set in the 1960s. What's different about growing up now? What's the same? The December Boys encounter a variety of adults in a small town. How do the boys change as they get to know different people? What did the filmmakers hope to say about what diverse people bring to our lives?
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Kid, 11 years old
July 6, 2009
AGE
one of the most beloved stories of all time... but the story will break your heart.
this was a very good movie! I think its iffy for 11 because i can handle it but some of my friends think its to sad,gross or inapropreat. (yes they are 11). And daniel radcliff....best actor ever and beleive me he was acted the best in this movie! But as well as being funny and entertaining there are a few scenes that made me feel very sad.
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AGE
i watched this movie about 1 year ago and i have to say the stroy was really good and really sad. And there was some questionable content like.... VILONCE: 15 year old boy hit a man in the face with his face then shouts "your s--t!" and younger beats his older friend with a stick resulting in minor injury. Also one of the younger boys falls onto the ocean and almost drowns. SEX: 12 year old boys and 1 15 year old boy look at women undressing and look at magizines with naked women in them. And underage 15 year old boy and girl have sex (off screen but have some iffy content before that) LANGUAGE: some swearing DRINKING AND SMOKING: 12 year old boys and 15 year old teenagers drink alchohol and smoke ciggarets. Before you take your kids to see this movie bare in mind that it has this content in it. And one more thing the ending has a very sudden and sad death of a main character. But still great movie i recomend to all OLDER Harry Potter fans.
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AGE
yeah dan!
this movie was awsome and FYI Daniel Radcliffe ROCKS! And LUCY SOOOOOOO DOSENT!!!! (WATCH IT IT"S A GREAT MOVIE! EXSEPT FOR LUCY!)
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AGE
Harry Potter Star Does Well!
Daniel radcliffe was excellent in this movie! The only problem was where the girl seduces him and makes him go up his skirt with his hand. Mature 11 year olds would be fine. There's also a book if you enjoy the movie!
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AGE
daniel rocks!!!!!!
i saw this movie when i was 11 1/2 and it was awsome! daniel radcliffe rocks!!!!!!!! but there was some language, vilonce, and sexual content plus underage drinking and smoking.
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AGE
great movie
i agree with all the other reviews this is a great movie it really entertained me. But there are several scenes with underage drinking and smoking also 1 scene with teenage sexuality and a few scene with language and brief vilonce and peril.
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| Studio: | Village Roadshow |
| Director: | Rod Hardy |
| Cast: | Daniel Radcliffe, Lee Cormie, Teresa Palmer |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 14, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | December 11, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content, nudity, underage drinking and smoking. |
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