I am not a film board rater, but I believe the "R" rating for BBM was due to the 23 instances of the word "f**k." That word can be used once in a PG-13 movie, after that, it moves to R (that's what I have heard, anyway). Yes, there were also mature themes and nudity which were part of the package but that's what it is--a package.
I am sure Christopher Nolan knew exactly what he was doing to make the movie in such a way as to garner a PG-13 rating. He didn't want to lose his audience of adolescent boys!
L
I agree, there will be lots of boys of Matt's age who will want to see the movie and each parent will make their own decision.
I am equally sure that as you said Nolan would not want to put off probably one of the biggest age ranges for his film.
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In all truth I am more concerned about my older son seeing it,with the allusion to violence,and he is nearly 15,particularly with his history.Each child is different, and I certainly would not have let the older one see it at Matt's age.
I know that the younger boy seems too young to be seeing it.He will be with his brother and father. He is pretty sensible when it come to knowing what scares him.He could not watch a PG13 movie if it was rooted in reality, or theoretically could be something that could occur in real life.When it comes to scary characters that he cannot connect with reality, he is fine.A more recent example, he could not watch the film about 9/11 because it really happened and he has to change the T.V channel when the advert for abused animals comes on.He cannot watch anything where people get sick and die either.
I think he is a very sensible kid, with a very mature view of what he can and can't watch.He has his own, so far very accurate barometer.
I use the rating system as a guideline, then apply it to each of my kids.Emma only wanted to see it because her brothers are going,now she knows it will be scary she has no interest.
To be honest I think Matt is more interested in seeing the cars,bikes and chases than anything else.The rest he will let wash over him.
I even let him watch most parts of BBM and he just thought it was a really sad film and could not understand why people were so prejudiced.One of his father's uncles is gay and he just simply does not have a problem with it.As for the language in BBM e has eard worse on the very middle class tennis circuit from both kids and parents !!!!!
My older son has no interest in watching it and I would not offend people her by repeating some of the filth that comes out of his mouth re gays.I am ashamed of him.He thinks it's clever to call his younger brother gay, and Matt just says so what if I am !!!!
So I suppose what I am saying is that there is chronological age and real age.My 2 boys could easily swap.Matt is nearly 12 going on 15 the oldest is nearly 15 going on 12.
Responsible parents use that guide of PG 13 and apply it individually to each of their children.
I will report back fter each of the 2 boys have seen it.