Race-Kids’ Movie Review

“Out there, there ain’t no black and white,” Owens says. “There’s only fast and slow.” Set in the 1930’s in a time of segregation we see the amazing story of a true American athlete…Jesse Owens (Stephan James). Jesse attends Ohio State University where he enrolls to run track, however he is treated as a second class citizen except on the track. With the guidance of his OSU coach, Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis), Jesse sets three world records and tying another in less than an hour at the 1935 Big Ten Track meet. Then he proceeds to win four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Overcoming racism at home and in Nazi Germany, Owens shows the world that he is truly the worlds fastest human!

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: May 31, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Not only is this an exciting sports drama there is an educational element as well. In a time of segregation and the Hitler regime we also get a little history lesson which could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Jesse and his girlfriend Ruth have a child out of wedlock, they eventually get married.

Sexual Content: Mild

Jesse has a girlfriend, with whom he has a daughter. However, when Jesse meets a woman at a jazz club, she flirts with him and they end up dancing and kissing. It’s implied that they had a sexual encounter, though we don’t see anything.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

There are racially motivated threats of violence towards Jesse.
When Jesse is upset with his coach he forcefully pushes him as they argue about whether Jesse should go to Germany.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “h—,” and “d–n.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

Throughout the film we see Jesse and other athletes drinking beer while they’re training.
Jesse’s coach, Snyder, frequently drinks alcohol from a flask. We see him drinking whiskey in his office as he argues with Jesse.

Will Kid/Teens Like It? Yes