Mumsnet Talk

(but given that our current system is designed to leave a lot to parental discretion, giving this film a certificate that relies on parental discretion to not take younger children is appropriate)

to be fair i didnt know the story either but thought i was in the minority!

still - i do think the classification is fine - its not gratuitous or overtly violent - the camera moves away when her hair is cut and same when she has her teeth pulled....
it comes back when she is basically at rock bottom and sings i dreamed a dream....
but i dont personally have a problem with the classification. i think films are classified on not what is considered taboo but on how graphic things are and what the content is - its obvious she falls into prostitution but its a very small part of the film, and i dont see why that should be any higher classified really - the one sex scene is very tame, fully clothed and just illustrates what she has been driven too,
if you didnt think it suitable for a 12 yr old then dont take your 12 yr old....personally i think my DD would have coped with it at 12.

i think DD watched Juno at around the same age. She coped with that just fine too.

Also, I wish people would stop going on about the stage show. This is the movie and they're completely different. They just have the same songs.

Vicar, I love Juno.

Yes Tolliver that is the thing.

There are films that are reasonable as a 12A ie "you can take your 9yo to see this but be aware there may be nasty bits" and others which are reasonable as "hmm this is only really OK for an 11-12-13-14 yo" but really only a 12A is a fair cert for that too! Can't say a film is OK for a 12yo and make it a 15, I agree.

I guess I have been watching 12As for a while now with my DC and I was just surprised.

Harry Potter for example, there is nothing very terrible in any of those apart from Emma whatnot's abysmal overacting. Even the scenes with Voldemort are mainly creepy rather than age-inappropriate. Certainly DS2 who was 8 at the time saw the last one at the movies and I had no qualms as I sat with him (he has a strong stomach tho). There is no way I would want an 8yo t see Les Mis.

I think the problem is a 12 cert. is unworkable, 15 year olds can get on a and go to the cinema by themselves my 14yo and her 15 yo BF do.

I wouldn't let DD2 and her friend do the same trip.

If Mum goes, younger siblings tend to tag along too. Given 2-3 year age gaps, I think you inevitably get parents with 9-13yos, who want to see the same things.

It's a farce anyway as 12-15 yo don't have ID.

I remember when i was 12 Mre Doubtfire was a 12a, not exactly in the same league as les mis is it? Maybe what we see as appropriate for 12 year olds to watch has changed?

I did see the stage show when I was around 13, and although most of it went over my head, I found it an incredible experience.

I don't think its a 12A film because of that scene where the man is on top of her when she's a prostitute.