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My Girl (PG, 1991)

common sense media says

Coming of age tale tackles death; for older kids.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that death is the main theme of this movie. Vada's mother died while giving birth to her (this is never depicted; only alluded to). A main character dies tragically from bee stings (again, the death is off screen). This sudden, unexpected death is bound to have an emotional impact on impressionable viewers. Divorce is mentioned, and there are a few obtuse references to sex.

Positive messages: Child learns that life goes on after the death of loved ones.
Violence: A character dies offscreen from bee stings.
Sex: Obscure references to sex and the sexual revolution.
Language: The "s" word, "ass." One character calls her friend a "retard."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Reference to lighting a joint.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on My Girl

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how to cope with the death of a loved one. Is it okay for Vada's father to remarry after his first wife died? How do we know when it is time to mourn or time to move on?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Darker than one might expect, MY GIRL is the story of Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky), a pre-teenage girl learning to deal with the death of her mother. Vada lives with her widower father (Dan Aykroyd), who runs a funeral parlor out of their home, and spends her days with her best friend, Thomas J (Macauly Culkin). When her father falls for his new assistant (Jamie Lee Curtis), Vada feels betrayed. In the end, a sudden tragedy brings her closer to her new stepmother, and she begins to understand how to move on after mourning the death of a loved one.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Death and single parenthood are never easy topics to talk about with children, and this film deals with them in a mature, responsible way, encouraging kids to talk about their feelings regarding death -- as well as the romantic lives of their parents. If kids are beginning to ask questions about these serious topics, they are old enough to watch this movie with parents.

Movie themes & details

Themes
friendship
Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Howard Zieff
Cast: Anna Chlumsky, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Macaulay Culkin
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: November 27, 1991
DVD release: May 12, 1998
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: mild language and violence
This review was written by Elliot Panek
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9

Most useful reviews by all members

67mare
kid, 11 years old
14
 
I hate it
It is so bad I could die when I see it.
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lilalovelylily
teen, 16 years old
10
 
:-(
This movie makes me cry every time, I love it. But I can't watch it due to the fact I can't stop crying. I'm tearing now writing about. I love the story line of a first chrush. I also like the movie Flipped. Although I haven't saw it.
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9001
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Iffy for ages 12-14
This was a great movie, but it was extremely sad. I don't think this movie is suitable for anyone under 12.
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BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
11
 
Very sad, yet effective
The name "My Girl" isn't just using the Temptations' song to promote the film, it refers to all the relationships crawling around this deeply impacting film. The kids say things that real kids say all the time, it's also very funny. Watch it, please!
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4Spice
adult
12
 
a classic love story 12 and over
very good love movie lots of good points about friendship i'll never forget my girl truth is why isay you should be 12 to see this movie is because its very sad at the end but worth watching
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CSM Screen ...
teen, 16 years old
 
2 cool
this movie was so cool. i cried every time i saw it. it was sensational, funny, and sad.it was so sad when tomas.j died. i cried my eyes out. i saw it last night and i still cried. i cant wait till i see it agin I LOVED IT!
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lindsey90
teen, 14 years old
2
 
this movie is based on a song
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xskittlesx
teen, 13 years old
12
 
Touching, Moving Film for Mature KIds
I'm thirteen and I bawled at this movie! It is so moving and touching, and touches on a very important subject. Spoiler::: When Thomas J. died looking for Vada's ring, I cried my eyes out. There are such sweet characters, and its a great film. Must see! Just make sure your kids can handle the mature death theme.
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shanghaiang
parent of 9 and 12 year old
9
 
Sweet movie that touches on a lot of life lessons
A sweet movie that touches on a lot of issues: Death of a parent, boy/girl friendship, feeling different, communication and death of a friend. Make sure your child is mature enough to handle the latter or this may not be the movie for them.
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andre58
teen, 15 years old
 
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Phangirl
teen, 13 years old
12
 
Buddies Never Die
This movie is one of my very few M.T.M.M.C.(Movies That Made Me Cry) movies. The messages in this film are very comforting, espespecially to one who has lost a loved one like myself (MY best friend died in 2006, and this movie helped me out BIG time).
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elitestar97
teen, 14 years old
8
 
Amazing Movie!
This movie is so cute!! I can watch it over and over again. I also think its a good movie to show a child around the age of 8 or 9, so they know what is to expect within the next few years.
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LizzieBieber
teen, 14 years old
11
 
It's definitly a good movie:)
I really loved it but there is a dying scene and I cried but it had great messages I definitly think. You definitly need to be older so you can understand it younger people may not quite get it and find it boring.
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arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
10
 
my mom watched it and she liked and she told me to watch it so i did an i liked it but it was sad when the one kid died
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#1Searria
teen, 14 years old
 
A must-read book for every 8 year old
i realy like the movie! it was very cute
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lindsey789
adult
9
 
khguygh
it has some languge but it is mild
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Libstudent9
teen, 14 years old
13
 
i love this movie it is really age approprite,
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zyshuntie
adult
 
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slantmaster
parent of 5 year old
7
 
Basically, this is a sad movie, but I was able to watch it at a young age and it became one of my favorites. There isn't a lot of sexual content, like no actual sex just references, and there is not ever any shown violence from my recollection, just a reference to a very sad death of one of the characters in the film.
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Auddrey.
teen, 15 years old
8
 
I could watch this over and over:)
If you don't like to cry don't watch this moive:) It is so sweet.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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