Boys In The Boat: Rated Pg-13 For Intense Rowing Scenes

The Boys in the Boat is a sports drama film directed by George Clooney, based on the #1 New York Times bestselling non-fiction novel written by Daniel James Brown. The film is rated PG-13 due to language and smoking, which may not be suitable for children under 13 years old. The movie contains some profanity, including mild insults and bad language, as well as references to adult themes such as love, abandonment, and mental health issues. There are also scenes of underage alcohol consumption and visible Nazi symbols, which may be triggering for some viewers. Overall, the film is considered to be more suitable for older children and adults due to its slow pacing, long dialogues, and lack of action or humour.

Profanity

The 2023 film "The Boys in the Boat" is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for "language and smoking". The film contains approximately two dozen profanities, including 7 scatological terms, 4 anatomical terms, 9 mild obscenities, and religious profanities. The profanities include "assholes", "ass", "bullshit", "shit", "goddamn", "pricks", and "hell". There is also some mild name-calling, exclamations, and religious exclamations.

The film is based on the true story of the University of Washington rowing team, which competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It is an underdog sports story that highlights the good, the bad, and the beauty of the 1930s. The film has positive messages about determination, teamwork, and perseverance in the face of adversity. However, it has been criticised for its thin character development and lack of depth.

The profanity in "The Boys in the Boat" is moderate and overall, the film is suitable for older children and adults. It is a good choice for family movie night, especially for families with older adolescents.

Smoking and alcohol consumption

The 2023 film "The Boys in the Boat" is rated PG-13 for "language and smoking". The film depicts a historically accurate portrayal of the 1930s, including the presence of smoking and alcohol consumption by adults.

There are multiple scenes throughout the film that depict smoking and alcohol consumption. While the specific number of scenes is not mentioned, it is described as being present "throughout the film". The smoking and alcohol consumption are depicted as socially acceptable behaviours of the time, with no negative consequences shown.

The smoking and alcohol consumption are not glamorised or promoted in the film. Instead, they are portrayed as a normal part of adult life in the 1930s. The film does not include any explicit scenes of tobacco use or alcohol consumption, and the depictions are relatively mild.

The film does not include any scenes of substance abuse or addiction related to smoking or alcohol consumption. The characters are shown to be in control of their consumption, and there are no negative consequences depicted as a result of their use.

Overall, the smoking and alcohol consumption in "The Boys in the Boat" are portrayed as historically accurate depictions of adult behaviour in the 1930s. The film does not promote or glamorise these behaviours, and they are not presented as being dangerous or harmful. However, it is important to note that the film does include some mild sexual content and profanity, which may be inappropriate for younger viewers.

Sexual content

The Boys in the Boat is a sports drama film based on a true story. While the film does not feature any nudity, there are several instances of sexual content that contribute to its PG-13 rating.

Firstly, the main characters Joyce and Joe are shown to be romantically involved. They are seen kissing passionately on multiple occasions, including once in Joyce's dorm room, despite men not being allowed in. They also flirt and hold hands throughout the film. In one scene, Joyce gets into bed with Joe, and they are shown lying together fully clothed. In another scene, Joyce changes her clothes in the same room as Joe, but asks him to face away.

The film also includes some mild sexual innuendos and references. In one instance, a wife suggestively invites her husband to come inside and see if there is another view he would enjoy, and the camera cuts to her robe on the floor. In another scene, a married couple is shown to be having a conversation with mild innuendo. Additionally, a character makes a comment about feeling his "nuts vibrating" due to a rocky boat.

These instances of sexual content, while mild, contribute to the film's PG-13 rating and may be considered inappropriate for younger audiences.

Violence

The Boys in the Boat is rated PG-13 due to some scenes of violence, including:

• Nazi flags, uniforms, and signs at the Olympics, which may be triggering for some viewers.
• A scene of shoving/fight initiation, where a character uses an uncomplimentary nickname and later apologises.
• The rowers sustaining some injuries and other physical problems, such as blisters and vomiting.
• A sick person holding a toilet.
• A character nearly fainting but still competing.

Historical context

The Boys in the Boat is set in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, and depicts the struggles of working-class student-athletes at the University of Washington. The film follows the University's rowing team as they prepare for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, which was hosted by Nazi Germany.

The historical context of the film is important in understanding the challenges faced by the characters. The Great Depression, which began with the Wall Street Crash in 1929, caused widespread poverty and unemployment. The film's protagonist, Joe Rantz, is shown to be living in poverty, struggling to pay his tuition fees, and even living in his car at one point. The Depression also meant that funding for the rowing team was at risk.

The film also touches on the issue of racism. Although the team members and coaches were all white, the film briefly features Jesse Owens and another Black Olympian, who have a memorable conversation with the team. This is a reference to the real-life achievements of Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics, despite the racist ideology of the Nazi regime.

The Boys in the Boat also showcases the fashion, technology, and cultural nuances of the 1930s, including the prevalence of smoking, which was common during that era. The film accurately captures the historical context of the time, providing a glimpse into life during the Great Depression and the lead-up to World War II.

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