As a parent, I know that movie ratings have evolved quite a bit since the ’80s. Take PG movies, for instance; what was once deemed appropriate back then is certainly different from today’s standards. I wasn’t particularly worried about it, as I felt that most content was pretty innocent. Sure, a film like The Great Outdoors had its share of colorful language, with a few choice words like “shit” and “asshole,” but it didn’t faze me. Interestingly, the PG-13 rating didn’t even come into play until 1984, following the release of films such as Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Before that, PG movies had a broad range of content that today might raise some eyebrows. For example, did you know the original Jaws is rated PG?
This past weekend, I decided to introduce my son, Max, to a classic: Planes, Trains and Automobiles. With its hilarious performances by Steve Martin and John Candy, it seemed like the perfect family film. Max recognized John Candy from The Great Outdoors and eagerly asked to watch another movie featuring that “funny fat guy.” So, we grabbed some microwave popcorn, dimmed the lights, and settled in for some laughs.
For a while, everything was going smoothly. Max was giggling along with me, and I didn’t think twice about any inappropriate content, convinced it was just another ’80s PG film. That was until we reached the infamous car rental counter scene. If you’re familiar with the movie, you probably know what I’m talking about. Somehow, I had completely forgotten about this moment—maybe because I had only watched the edited-for-TV version since its original release.
And then it hit me: 19 F-bombs in under a minute! My hopes of winning the Father of the Week award were dashed. The next day, a quick Google search confirmed that Planes, Trains and Automobiles is indeed R-rated. Oops! Steve Martin was on a roll, and there was Max, perched on my lap, oblivious to the chaos unfolding. I fumbled around for the remote but couldn’t find it, and I figured that trying to cover his ears would only draw more attention to the situation. Maybe I was just laughing too hard to think straight.
So, I waited it out, holding my breath in silence. Was he tuning it out? Nodding off? Suddenly, he turned to me and asked, “Daddy, what does f*cking mean?”
It’s moments like these that really make parenting an adventure, right? To read more about the ups and downs of parenting, check out this post on our blog about home insemination. And if you’re looking for more resources on starting a family, you might find this article on IVF insightful.
In summary, navigating movie choices with kids can lead to unexpected surprises, especially when ratings and content have changed so much over the years. It’s all part of the fun!