Selma-Teen Movie Review

DENIED was stamped when an elderly black woman went to register to vote. She was denied because she couldn’t answer the clerk’s obscure questions…she was denied because she was black. The 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama march, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a march against injustice and inhumanity, it was a march for equal rights.  The film chronicles King’s movement to secure equal voting rights, which was one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Selma is a compelling and inspirational film, one that will spark some interesting parent/child conversations.

Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 5, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This is a very powerful film, one that will educate kids about a very important part in the American Civil Rights Movement.

King’s commitment and sacrifice to the movement is highlighted throughout the film.

Sexual Content: Mild

• It’s implied that King had affairs. His wife asks if he loves “any of the others, ” King hesitates, then says no.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

• A bomb explodes in a church killing four little girls. We see their bodies in the rubble.
• Character’s are beaten with clubs, kicked and punched. We see their bloody wounds.
• Police beat a woman and an elderly man in a restaurant. A man is also shot and killed in the restaurant.
• We see a man beaten to death. He’s punched and kicked in the face. We see his head slammed to the ground and covered in blood.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

• The f-word is said two times. We also hear, “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “b–tard,” “d–n,” and  “h–.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

•  The film is great tool to educate kids on the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Mature teens will will find it interesting and educational.
• The film will appeal to kids in an educational setting. Whether it be with a parent or school group, it will spark an interesting conversation.  It’s not a film they’ll typically enjoy with their friends for entertainment.

Overall Selma is a powerful and educational film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and profane language.

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