A Few Good Men

Movie review by Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media
A Few Good Men Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Complex military whodunit. For mature teens+.

R 1992 138 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 9 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 28 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this film's lack of gory violence or explicit sex makes it a relatively good choice for those who like political thrillers. However, the plot might be too complex and slow-paced for all but the most mature teenagers. There is some strong language and a graphic oral sex reference.

Community Reviews

Beatrix Kiddo-Orteza
Beatrix Kiddo-Orteza Adult
October 3, 2013
age 12+

VERY EXCELLENT. Yet watch out for what your children could ask you.

This may have some language and complex themes. Commander Joanne Galloway is a strong, willing and dedicated character. Lt. Col. Daniel Kaffee learned to prioritize things. The message about honor and honesty was crystal clear - "You don't have to wear patches to be honorable". Besides a quarter of f-bombs and other mild expletives, parents also should watch for a brief sexual reference; children might ask questions about it. Parents also should watch for possible questions, like the law and marines. Children can learn about court martials and how is it to be in the navy. This film is very great, but children who do not know much about the navy needs guide for possible questions. 12+

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
jafarox
jafarox Adult
June 20, 2022
age 17+

Virtuous folk will want a filter like Clearplay.

If you're a Christian or other religion, this movie should be unwatchable. This movie is only acceptable for those who live in a house of vulgarity.

This title has:

Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When an unpopular Marine winds up dead after being hazed by two of his unit mates in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Navy lawyer Lt. J. G. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is assigned to defend the presumed murderers at their court martial, in a presumably open-and-shut case. But as Kaffee probes further under the urging of Internal Affairs' Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), he finds there's more to the case than meets the eye.

Is It Any Good?

Younger teens will probably be bored by the film's lack of action, but for families looking for talking points on the military, or those who just like a courtroom drama, this is a solid choice. A Few Good Men was adapted from a Broadway play, and it shows; most of the film is filled with set pieces in which the actors sit at restaurants and in court rooms and offices, endlessly debating the case and the issues around it. Did the dead Marine bring on his fate by breaking the Marine's code of honor, as the base's commanding officer, Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicolson), suggests? If so, does that make the dead soldier a victim or a perpetrator himself?

For adults or very mature teens, A Few Good Men brings up complex and interesting issues surround the military and the duties of soldiers in uniform: the nature of conformity, persecution of the weak, the price of unquestioning obedience to superiors.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the duties of a citizen to their family and their country. Was the death of the marine justified in favor of national security? Does Col. Jessup's military record automatically make him qualified to hold his position? How does the trial cause Lt. Kaffee to question his own values?

Movie Details

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