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The Philadelphia Story (NR, 2000)

common sense media says

Screwball romance is lots of fun for older kids.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a very funny comedy of manners, beautifully performed and directed. However, it's a bit risque and the class politics may be lost on younger kids. They may also be confused by the outdated gender roles. Parents should know that alcoholism, divorce, adultery, and lechery are made light of.

Positive messages: Tracy is told she's unfeminine for having high moral standards--women are expected to tolerate alcoholism and adultery.
Violence: Some fistfights, played for laughs.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Tracy gets very drunk, kisses another man the night before her wedding, and goes for a midnight swim with him.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how gender roles have evolved since the movie was made.

What's the story?

What's the story?
A classic screwball comedy, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY follows the love life of spitfire socialite Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), who divorces her husband C.K. (Cary Grant) and, a few years later, is getting ready to marry tightly wound -- and moneyed -- George Kittridge. A crisis is averted when a tabloid story about Tracy's womanizing father is stopped, but this means that reporter Mike Connor (Jimmy Stewart) gets access to Tracy's wedding nuptials. Soon, a confused Tracy finds herself torn between George, the irresistibly attractive Mike, and devilishly handsome C.K., who still holds a torch for his former wife.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
While Hepburn is unquestionably the star of this screwball romance, Cary Grant is irrepressibly charming and Jimmy Stewart steals the show when he turns into an amorous drunk (he won a Best Actor Oscar for this role). The dialogue is sly and witty (although pretty adult), the story tightly wound and beautifully spun, and there are plenty of funny pratfalls.

There's also a serious side to this movie. As Tracy prepares herself for her second marriage, she is sternly lectured by her ex and her dad, and told that a woman should be unconditionally forgiving, understanding, and loving in the face of her husband's alcoholism and her father's sexual indiscretions. Overall, this is a smart and ambitious comedy, one that states that there's more to a wedding than the materialistic aspects, and more to life than good manners and fine appearances. The love story is complex and delightful, and plenty of silly sub-plots keep things moving.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: George Cukor
Cast: Cary Grant, James Stewart, Katharine Hepburn
Genre: Classic
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: June 8, 2000
DVD release: June 8, 2000
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Ellen MacKay
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
2
 
Awesome
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (7)
Tsion
parent of 15 year old
10
 
A Witty Charmer...
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is a charming romantic comedy bursting with colorful performances and clever wit and humor. Katharine Hepburn plays an upper-class daughter of a socialite and his ex-wife, who, on her wedding night, is confronted by three suitors: her fiance (John Howard): a kind but mediocre man, her ex-husband (Cary Grant): a sly and witty charmer, and a young writer (Jimmy Stewart, in an Oscar winning role), who enthralls her with his work and passion. What follows is a delightful comedy of error and mistaken love. The movie should be okay for kids. There is no violence or language, and sex consists of one or two very mild innuendos. However, there is TONS of drinking, mention of alcoholism, and drunkeness.
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mongofa
teen, 17 years old
9
 
Great Cukor film for everybody
Star- studded cast, light-hearted. Young kids might find it boring, though.
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Kass
adult
 
Unforgettable
With Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart starring, you can't go wrong. However, the audience is so fortunate to even experience more than the powerhouse performances from this incomparable trio, what with the delightful wit, romance, and drama peppered throughout. Also, besides a brief scene of drunkenness, there's little objectionable material, and so even preteen film aficionados will be able to enjoy this classic.
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Gen2916
adult
 
Great actors combine to create this wonderful film
When you mix Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart you get this wonderful romantic comedy! Although it does show quite a bit of drinking, overall this movie is brilliant!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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