 | 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. |
Good Morning, Vietnam
- Review Date: September 19, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1987
Common Sense Media says
Robin Williams at his scatological finest.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, compared to the sexual and violent content of some of today's PG-13 films, this one is tame. But its themes of relative morality are definitely adult in nature. The violence (infrequent but sudden) serves specific purposes. A bar brawl is spurred by some GIs' racist behavior; an explosion at the same bar (which kills two people) sets up storylines that ultimately question the premise of the Vietnam War, as well as the freedom of information allowed at that time. Foul language occurs mostly in the form of jokes.
What's the story?
GOOD MORNING VIETNAM is based on the true story of Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams), a mouthy air force radio DJ who's transferred to Vietnam during the height of the conflict. With his irreverent and sometimes biting humor, Cronauer almost immediately conflicts with his commanding officers. Things get serious as he falls in love with a local girl and experiences firsthand how war affects individuals as much as it does a nation.
Is it any good?
While this film is incredibly funny, there are some downright serious moments. Williams handles both in full stride. Rather than gloss over the conflict, director Barry Levinson and writer Mitch Markowitz manage to provide some very poignant commentary on the war, with scenes ranging from Williams' wild cries of "Good morning, Vietnam!" to his harrowing experience being stranded behind enemy lines.
While the dialogue is a little lackluster (save for Williams' classic monologues), Good Morning, Vietnam offers strong performances by Williams (who was nominated for an Oscar for the role) and Forest Whitaker.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about situations in which disrespecting or disobeying superiors might or might not be considered acceptable. Should Adrian's superiors have been more flexible about the content of his radio show?
How does censorship play a role in his attitude toward the army and the conflict itself?
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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
This is definitely a movie you want to see. It contains some outright irreverant humor, some of it rather crude to say the least, but it provides contrast to this with a relatively well-managed love story and a poignant and thought-provoking critique of the Vietnam war. Unlike most movies of this day, there is no senseless violence. All of it serves some purpose to push the plot forward. There are two especially wonderful scenes. One, where he finally decides to fight against the scenario and reads aloud all of the news that "wasn't", of all the real deaths and explosions that were really happening. Another, possibly the best of the movie, is where he airs the song "It's a Wonderful World". While it is playing, the movie cuts to several scenes of first the beauty of the country, and then how it is ravaged and destroyed by the war waged in it. Overall, this is not a movie that you would ever want to miss.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 31, 2009
AGE
Okay for teens
This is a okay movie, but a lot of language like f--k, s--t, goddamn
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
May 28, 2012
AGE
Funny
It is a really good movie, really funny, but there is some bad language. All in all, you can't pass it up because Robin Williams is hillarious.
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Barry Levinson |
| Cast: | Forest Whitaker, Noble Willingham, Robin Williams |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 119 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 23, 1987 |
| DVD release date: | October 1, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence |
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