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Deterrence

(2000, Rated R, Drama, Starring Sean Astin, Timothy Hutton, Kevin Pollak)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    A president wrestles with another Iraq war.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A theme of the movie, racist, anti-semitic, and ho

  • Violence:

    Character shot Tense scenes of world peril

  • Sex:

    Mild

  • Language:

    Very strong language

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking and smoking
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Deterrence

Parents need to know that this movie deals with racism and politics.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how Presidents have made these decisions in the past, those that were successful, those that failed, and those that are still being debated. Ask them whose advice they would listen to, if they were in Emerson's position, and what they would do if they did not have his Hollywood-style convenient resolution. What kind of qualities should a President have, and how are those qualities revealed in campaigns? What do they think about the way Emerson accepted the consequences of his decision?
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