I know that the standards for movie ratings have evolved over the years. Take PG-rated films from the past, for instance; they were often quite different from what we’d classify as PG today. Honestly, this didn’t concern me much as a parent. Most of the content was relatively tame, though “The Great Outdoors” did push some boundaries with a few choice words. Interestingly, the PG-13 rating didn’t come about until 1984, largely due to films like “Gremlins” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Did you know that the original “Jaws” is actually rated PG?
This past weekend, we decided to watch “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” a beloved comedy from the ’80s starring Steve Martin and John Candy. My little one, Grady, had seen a promo and remembered John Candy from “The Great Outdoors.” Naturally, he was eager to watch another movie featuring that “funny fat guy.” Armed with some microwave popcorn, we dimmed the lights and settled in for some laughs.
Initially, everything went smoothly. Grady was chuckling along with me, and I assumed we were in for another light-hearted PG experience. However, I quickly hit a snag during the infamous car rental counter scene. If you know the film, you know what’s coming. For some reason, I had forgotten the intensity of that moment. Perhaps it was because I had only seen the TV-edit version in recent years.
Well, here’s the kicker: there were 19 instances of the F-word in under a minute. Clearly, I was not winning any “Father of the Week” awards with this choice. A quick search later would confirm that “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” is indeed rated R. Whoops! As Steve Martin unleashed his tirade, Grady was still perched on my lap. I had no idea where the remote was, and I figured that plugging his ears might draw more attention than simply letting it play out (or maybe I was too busy laughing to make a rational decision).
Then came the moment of truth. Grady turned to me and asked, “Daddy, what does f*cking mean?”
The lesson learned here? Always check the rating before movie night, especially when your little one is involved. For those curious about home insemination, check out this great resource from the Mayo Clinic, and if you’re looking for an at-home option, consider the Cryobaby Home Insemination Kit.
Summary
In a humorous recounting of a movie night gone awry, a father reflects on the unexpected challenges of watching an R-rated film with his young child. Despite the initial fun, he learns the importance of checking movie ratings beforehand when his son innocently inquires about a curse word.
Keyphrase: Watching an R-Rated Movie with a Child
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