As a parent, I understand that film ratings have evolved over the years. A PG rating in 1981 differs significantly from what we classify as PG today, yet this has never been a major concern for me. Generally, the language and themes in older films are relatively benign. However, certain exceptions exist, like The Great Outdoors, which includes a few choice words that push the boundaries. Interestingly, the PG-13 rating didn’t come about until 1984, inspired by films such as Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. For context, the original Jaws is also rated PG!
This past weekend, my son, Max, and I decided to watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles, a beloved comedy from the ’80s featuring Steve Martin and John Candy. Max recognized John Candy from The Great Outdoors and expressed excitement to see another film with that “funny fat guy.” We settled in with some microwave popcorn, dimmed the lights, and prepared for an enjoyable viewing experience.
Initially, everything was going smoothly, with Max giggling alongside me, and I felt confident that we were in the clear with this classic PG film. However, I soon encountered a surprise during the infamous car rental counter scene. Despite having seen the film before, I had forgotten the intensity of that moment. Perhaps it was because I had only watched the sanitized TV version in recent years.
In this pivotal scene, Steve Martin unleashes a barrage of expletives—19 F-bombs in less than a minute. Suddenly, I realized I was not going to win the Father of the Week award. A quick online search the next day confirmed that Planes, Trains and Automobiles is indeed rated R. Oops! At that moment, Max was perched on my lap, and I couldn’t find the remote to pause the film. I worried that covering his ears would only draw attention to the situation. Instead, I opted to ride it out, hoping he wouldn’t absorb the language.
To my surprise, he remained quiet, leaving me to wonder if he had missed it or had simply drifted off. Just then, he turned to me with a curious expression and asked, “Daddy, what does f*cking mean?”
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Summary
In this humorous recounting, I reflect on a recent experience of watching an R-rated movie with my young son. Despite my initial belief that the film was appropriate, I was caught off guard by unexpected language, leading to a candid conversation about adult themes. This scenario underscores the complexities of parenting and media consumption.
Keyphrase: Watching R-Rated Movies with Kids
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