Is The Boys in the Boat safe for kids? Is The Boys in the Boat ok for kids? Read the The Boys in the Boat Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 2023 based on a true story sports drama film from Amazon MGM studios, directed by George Clooney, starring Joel Edgerton, Christopher Diamantopoulos, and Callum Turner. No spoilers! #TheBoysInTheBoat May contain commissioned links.
The Boys in the Boat Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
Everyone loves an inspiring, feel-good underdog sports story. The ones that have you chanting “Rudy!” performing the iconic Remember the Titans dance, and believing in a Miracle – they stick with you for generations to come.
But after a not so impressive Next Goal Wins release, audiences may be questioning if “every” underdog story really needs to be told.
From #1 New York Times bestselling non-fiction novel to the direction of George Clooney, does a group of 1936 underdog rowers sink or swim along with these legendary films? Or is this just a little too much book drama for a sports film?
In The Boys in the Boat Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG-13 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2023 The Boys in the Boat parents guide to the new MGM Studios film. A no-spoiler parent review of The Boys in the Boat, does this 87-year old underdog story inspire or go down with the ship like the Great Depression?
The Visuals
No one talks much about the 1930’s. But for this important period in history, I do think that The Boys in the Boat movie does a good job of highlighting the good, the bad, and the beauty through visuals that reflect the timeline.
From costuming to camera movements, fashion to technological advances, The Boys in the Boat is a love letter to 1930’s history. And fans will appreciate the nuances that make this decade special on and off screen.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, I’m happy to report that there is NO scenes that warrant a photosensitivity warning. There are no bright flashing lights and no strobing effects to be found in this The Boys in the Boat retelling.
The Story
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestselling non-fiction novel of the same name, written by Daniel James Brown, The Boys in the Boat live action rowing film from Amazon MGM Studios stars Joel Edgerton (“Obi-Wan Kenobi“) as Coach Al Ulbrickson, Christopher Diamantopoulos (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever“) as Royal Brougham, and Callum Turner (“Fantastic Beats: The Secrets of Dumbledore“) as Joe Rantz and is directed by the legendary George Clooney (“Argo“).
This based on a true story sports drama follows the 1936 University of Washington rowing team at the height of the Great Depression as a group of novice college underdogs compete for gold at the Berlin Summer Olympics. Focusing in on the life of crew rower Joe Rantz, we follow his college experience in the 1930’s.
The focus on crew and rowing in the 1930’s is presented in a way that’s not complicated for audiences to understand, even if you don’t know the in’s and out’s of rowing (did you know that I was a coxswain for the UCF men’s crew team in college? That’s how I met my husband).
The story is simple and direct, and not overacted. Story pacing is slow and steady. The normal coming-of-age tropes are present. And while not possessing an earth shattering plot line, there’s enough theming and character build up for audiences to cling to. That being said, is The Boys in the Boat for kids?
That PG-13 Rating Explained
Is The Boys in the Boat safe for kids? Another underdog sports drama film that’s rated PG-13? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how television and movie ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is The Boys in the Boat rated PG-13? In The Boys in the Boat Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2023 based on a true story sports movie from MGM Studios is rated PG-13 for “language and smoking.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like The Boys in the Boat is kid friendly. Is The Boys in the Boat too adult for kids? Is The Boys in the Boat too intense for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG-13 age rating in this The Boys in the Boat parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. Keeping in mind of the time period and place (1930’s in Berlin, Germany), be prepared to see a reflection of such for historical purposes. Visible Nazi symbols, salutes, military presence, and Adolf Hitler sightings are present in this film. This may be triggering for some.
However, violence is minimal – just one scene of shoving/fight initiating. There are mild visible wounds (mostly hand blistering) present to visually represent the physical challenges of rowing crew. Vomiting noise is present in one scene. Also there is one sick person holding a toilet in another scene.
Adult Themes. Smoking and underage alcohol consumption is present in multiple scenes throughout the film, including beer bottles and glasses of liquor.
Love is a big focus. Scenes include holding hands, flirting, kisses on the cheek, and one deep kiss. Very mild sensual innuendo is also present: one scene of a girl changing in a bra (no nudity present), one scene of dating couple lying in bed fully clothed, one scene inferring to relations between a married couple. One verbal reference to a man’s private area as “nuts.” One verbal reference to professing love to another.
Insinuation to mental health issues, loss, grief, estranged family relationships, and mild childhood trauma also present. This may be triggering for some.
Language. Language is overall moderate in The Boys in the Boat. And honestly, it took me by surprise, having watched nearly a third of the movie before dishing out the first profanity. Foul language and swear words include in this film include: 1 “@ssholes,” 1 “@ss,” 5 “bullsh!t,” 3 “sh!t,” 2 “g0dd@mn,” 1 “pr!cks,” and 7 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks.”
Mild insults and bad language phrases in The Boys in the Boat include: “screw you,” “shut up,” “phallic,” “my nuts,” “oh my g-d,” “Jesus,” and “oh Christ.”
The Boys in the Boat Age Rating for Kids
With a runtime of 2 hours 3 minutes, the pacing is slow but steady in this 1930’s film. There’s no amped up action sequences, no song and dance. It’s pretty dry and drama-filled. Overall, with long dialogue, very little action, and almost no humor, The Boys in the Boat 2023 sports film is focused more for the adults and older children than young kids and families.
This underdog based-on-a-true-story sports drama film is easily comparable to sports historical drama movies like The Greatest Game Ever Played or Cinderella Man.
This 2023 based on a true story sports movie from MGM Studios and George Clooney is rated PG-13 for “language and smoking” by the MPAA.
No, there are no post-credit scenes in this 2023 historical sport drama. However, there are some mid-credit stills of the original crew members that audiences may want to see.
Based on my The Boys in the Boat parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend The Boys in the Boat film to kids younger than the age of 8-9 years old.
Considering the full PG-13 age rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend The Boys in the Boat film to kids younger than the age of 8-9 years old. This The Boys in the Boat PG-13 rating is pretty spot on and comparable to The Blind Side or Champions ratings.
Without intense violence or strong adult themes, The Boys in the Boat 2023 plays more like a PG rated sports drama. However, that being said, I don’t think will want to watch this slow drama. With moderate language and possibly slow story build for kids’ liking, I gave this film a more mature child rating. I recommend parents to prescreen The Boys in the Boat 2023 for language.
The Overall
It may be a true story, but it’s a little short of incredible.
Without the visceral, emotional struggle of utter defeat to invincible glory to pull the audience in and have everyone rooting for the little guy – this movie felt safe. Even the balance of 8-men in a boat and the actual rowing motion itself (which is actually REALLY hard to perfect), I felt like the sport got cheated of a possibly incredible highlight. For hardcore crew lovers and parents who love watching underdog sports films with their families, The Boys in the Boat is an easy watch, but forgettable.
I didn’t feel like I did for McFarland, USA. I wasn’t choking up like I did for Remember the Titans. And I definitely didn’t tear up like I did for Rudy. And this is coming from a person who has rowed crew, has tons of amazing team memories, and understands the physical and mental toughness that goes into this sport. I desperately wanted people to embrace and appreciate crew as much as I do, but this film didn’t make the splash I was hoping for.
Even keel is great in a boat. Not so much in a movie. Overall, The Boys in the Boat is a one note, even keel sports drama that unfortunately won’t be remembered beside the legends. These boys were missing passion and character relatability through creative storytelling – the one that has everyone in the theater tearing up, holding their breaths, and cheering for the underdog. Without ebbs and flows, The Boys in the Boat is just a steady, straight, and sadly kind of boring film.
Follow The Boys in the Boat on social media:
- Website: https://www.mgm.com/movies/the-boys-in-the-boat
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boysintheboatmovie
- Twitter (“X”): https://twitter.com/mgmstudios
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boysintheboatmovie
- #TheBoysInTheBoat
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The Boys in the Boat, the all-new crew sports drama film is rowing into theaters starting on Christmas Day, Monday December 25, 2023. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen The Boys in the Boat 2023 film in exchange for The Boys in the Boat Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
Grace says
Thank you for this honest review! It has helped me make a better decision as a parent.