Fame
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Raw look at teen life more shocking than you might recall.
Themes in this movie include: celebrity / fame, competition, dating/crushes, growing up, sexuality
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–18
What to watch out for
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Role models:
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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
This review of Fame was written by Kari Croop
Parents need to know that, in terms of content, this R-rated 1980 film is much heavier than both the teen-friendly TV drama it spawned and the PG-rated 2009 remake -- consequently, it's only age-appropriate for mature teens. In addition to frequent, unbleeped swearing (including many forms of "f--k," which even pops up in the classroom with no objection from teachers), viewers will see plenty of topless female characters and watch teens grapple with serious situations, including intense competition, abortion, drug use, poverty, sexual identity (one male student comes out), and suicide. Many of the students make iffy choices that aren't always shown to have negative consequences, although at least two are generally positive role models.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about whether these teens' stories are still relevant to today's high schoolers. Teens: Which of these characters, if any, do you relate to? Do any of the characters' problems seem outdated to you?
- Does it surprise you to see students talking back to their teachers and using curse words like "f--k" in the classroom? Are curse words more often used as a form of expression or as a means to disrespect someone?
- What messages does this film send about the consequences of premarital sex, acting out in school, and using recreational drugs?
- This film is a great opportunity to open a dialogue with mature teens about the stresses they face, including pressure to do drugs, drink, and have sex. How do they respond? How do they protect themselves?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Fame
What’s the Story?
Blending elements of straight drama, music, and dance, FAME shadows a
group of gifted students (including singer Irene Cara, dancer Gene
Anthony Ray, and composer Lee Currieri) during their time at New York's
prestigious High School of Performing Arts, where they're learning the
skills they need to succeed. The film -- which won two Oscars for its
music (including a Best Original Song statuette for the title track
"Fame" -- spawned a 1980s TV series of the same name that
allowed several of its young stars to reprise their roles and gave
Debbie Allen a much more prominent role as a no-nonsense dance teacher.
Is It Any Good?
Fame might not be a parent's dream pick when it comes to take-away messages and role models, but it doesn't pander, either -- it's one of the most honest portrayals of what it was like growing up in New York City during a certain time. The film also captures the raw emotions of teens who are grappling with heavy issues -- and, more importantly, casts the right actors to portray them with startling clarity.
Fame is undoubtably heavy. But that doesn't mean it leaves ardent fans of the musical/dance genre out in the cold. On the contrary, it serves up songs that still sound vital decades later and puts the talents of young dancers, musicians, and actors on display for the world to see. Fame isn't slick or glib, like many modern takes on the same topic. And that's ultimately what made it famous.
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Home Video, Director: Alan Parker
Run time: 134 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/16/1980, DVD release: 9/15/2009
MPAA Rating: R
Run time: 134 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/16/1980, DVD release: 9/15/2009
MPAA Rating: R
Our Members Say
See 5 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
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Kids ages: 18
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
not for 10 and under
LOVE IT BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
NOT GOOD-good music
TOO MUCH LANGUAGE! VERY BOTHERSOME! F-word is used just about every 5 minutes!
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
Entertaining if your tween is a budding star
This 30 year old movie and it's mores are very dated by today's standards. The huge serious scene of a boy admitting he's gay seemed really overblown, since it's not unusual for teens to describe themselves as gay these days. I had to explain to my daughter why the director and writer made such a big deal out of it. The review mentions issues of sex and a character getting an abortion because of it. The treatment is far tamer than say, Dirty Dancing, which only has a PG-13 rating. In fact, it's hard for me to pinpoint just how this movie got its R. I don't think it would be rated the same if it were released today. For the current generation growing up with movies like Hairspray and High School Musical, this offers a less saccharin but no less exuberant view of singing and dancing teens. My daughter found it more funny than gritty (there is a fair amount of humor) and I had to patiently explain pop culture of the late 70's like Freddie Prince and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. If you remember it fondly from the big screen, you will probably enjoy it more than your kids, but if they like to sing and dance, they are likely to be fascinated by the concept of a performing arts school.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 50% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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