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An Officer and a Gentleman

(1982, Rated R, Drama, Starring Richard Gere, David Keith, Debra Winger)

  • 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

    So-so coming-of-age military flick; not for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

  • Violence:

    Suicide is a main storyline and there are several scenes depicting graphic fighting in the context of military training.

  • Sex:

    Brief nudity (male and female), much graphic dialogue related to sex.

  • Language:

    Racial and ethnic slurs, homophobic comments, a whole lot of cursing.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A lot of drinking, but there is discussion of consequences.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About An Officer and a Gentleman

Parents need to know that this film contains some brief nudity (female breasts and buttocks, male buttocks) and explicit sexual dialogue. The military training sequences involve homophobic and racial slurs as well as fistfights. Several of the female characters are depicted as trying to get soldiers to impregnate them. Characters drink heavily. In addition, one of the main characters commits suicide.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the relationships that Zack has with his father and with Sgt. Foley. Who do you think he looked up to more? Is Zack treated fairly by Sgt. Foley? Families could talk about the depiction of female characters in the movie. How are Paula, Lynette, and Seeger portrayed differently? Why did Seeger have a hard time in the military? How is she different than both Paula and Lynette?
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