Harvey (NR, 1950)
common sense media says
Jimmy Stewart + a 6' rabbit = a family delight.
parents & educators say
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is a gentle, consistently funny, and endearing story of a man who may or may not be crazy and his best friend, an invisible 6-foot 3 1/2-inch rabbit named Harvey. The movie raises the possibility that what defines "crazy" for one person may be the perfect definition of happiness for another. Wonderful acting, rich characters, and nonstop subtle humor will keep children and parents laughing. But there are a number of references to the possibility of alcoholism here and plenty of bar scenes and drinking.
Violence & scariness:
Some wrestling of psychiatric patients into cells and a short but bloodless barroom brawl.
Sexy stuff:
Nothing shown, but one character mistakenly concludes that she was going to be sexually assaulted by the orderly at the Sanitarium. Surreptitious romance between the orderly and the character's daughter ensues.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Main character may be alcoholic and spends a great deal of time in bars or making plans to be there. Others discuss alcoholism as the source of his problems, but he seems perfectly functional, and the other bar patrons are much more tolerant of the main character's quirks than his sober friends and family.
More on Harvey
Review It
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
Most useful reviews by all members
northlight
parent of 10 and 14 year old
parent of 10 and 14 year old
gentle but with adult themes
Recently watched Harvey with my 10 year old. She enjoyed the imaginary Harvey aspect but the adult themes required a lot of explaining: institutionalization of the mentally ill; involuntary institutionalization; sister Veta explictily mentions the problem with psychiatrists' obsession with S..E... I stiffened a bit and my 10 year old became wide-eyed and confused at that scene. That one scene is a bit of shock for the younger crowd. I do not agree with the 8+ rating, mostly due to this scene and the fact that the comedy of errors is too complicated for younger kids: Veta is institutionalized instead of Elwood and she is understandably traumatized by the experience. I would say 10 at the minimum, but 11 or 12 to understand the humor and very serious themes. For example, the 10 year old did not understand one bar's customer reference to "Yeah, I've been away for 90 days making license plates." The bar scenes are not that offensive; more like a scene from 'Cheers'-local bar where community comes together. There was the inevitable question also: "Where's the rabbit?". So, older is better to fully appreciate the quality of this wonderful film.
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StepMomSterToo
parent
parent
This is a great movie. One for the whole family. A great celebration of imagination.
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grumblekitty
educator and parent of 7 year old
educator and parent of 7 year old
Fine, just perhaps over young-uns' heads.
I think it's fine for 8 and up, as the review says, but I agree with the other poster that it's a little bit over the heads of the younger audience members. My nearly-8 year old missed nearly all the humor either because it was too subtle or he hadn't had the life experience yet to get the joke. *shrug* This isn't a problem, it's just that it would be more enjoyable for someone a tad older. I remember seeing the play at around 8 and being enchanted with Harvey himself...but my parents hadn't censored ANYthing from me, so I already had a lot more experience than my kid has at the same age.
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