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Original poster

Not to expect a film with a "PG" rating have all the children leaving the cinema bawling their eyes out

132 replies

nametaken · 15/03/2009 11:06

WARNING - SPOILER ALERT - IF YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MARLEY AND ME DON'T READ ANY FURTHER

Am I the only person who thought this would be a good film to take the kids too. FFS, the bloody dog dies in the end - some of the kids were howling - it pissed me off actually.

OP posts:
KingCanuteIAm · 15/03/2009 11:09

I posted about this yesterday in movie reviews, I can't quite be sure as I didn't see it but dd, ds and GM were all very upset.

SPOILER

DD was particularly upset about the miscarraige too.

bronze · 15/03/2009 11:10

Its pg not a U so I think you are being a little U

Original poster
nametaken · 15/03/2009 11:11

Actually, the more I think about it, the more pissed off I am.

I am mostly angry with myself though. I feel stuiped for not seeing it coming, it was pretty obvious if I had given it any thought, how the film would end.

OP posts:
pointydog · 15/03/2009 11:11

dd1 (12 went to see this with friends yesterday and she did comment how sad it was re the dog dying. However, reviews/interviews do say the film follows the couple and the dog over 12 years so I kinda thought it would cop it in the end.

Not seen it myself so can't really comment on level of upset. Tears at the death of a pet are ok, though, aren't they?

Original poster
nametaken · 15/03/2009 11:13

They weren't just tears though, pointydog, some of the kids were actually crying really loudly

OP posts:
Reallytired · 15/03/2009 11:13

Its a PG not a U. As a parent its your responsiblity to find out why it has been rated as PG and decide whether its appriopiate. Its not unusual for a PG film to be suitable for under eights.

I don't think a film having a sad ending is a reason to rate it as a 12. Life is often a bitch and many young kids know what its like to experience a close brevement, yet a lone watch the death of a fictious character.

pointydog · 15/03/2009 11:13

was there an element of exaggerated mass sadness?

Mumcentreplus · 15/03/2009 11:14

well dying is part of life...they can't change the ending because some children might cry...personally I wouldn't have taken my kids to see Marley & Me it's a romance ...PG does not automatically mean it's suitable for children...you can only be safe with a U

pointydog · 15/03/2009 11:14

hey, what's wrong with romance?!

lilymolly · 15/03/2009 11:16

Of for goodness sakes, of course the dogs dies.....its the story of a family life with a dog surely you knew that was coming.

If its any consolation however, I saw it last night and knew it was coming as I have read the book, and I sobbed my heart out, and I mean "sobbed" I nearly lost it at one point.
But......I have 2 labradors and I am 9 months pregnant.

I also remember crying when I was a child at bambi and watership down...part of growing up me thinks

Mumcentreplus · 15/03/2009 11:16

Nothings wrong with romance...hahaha...but I just don't think it would be suitable PG indicates that

Original poster
nametaken · 15/03/2009 11:16

Well I guess I've only got myself to blame then. Incidently, two of my kids are 11 and 12 - it wasn't just the tiny kids crying.

OP posts:
hippipotamiHasLostSixPounds · 15/03/2009 11:18

It would never even have crossed my mind to take the children to Marley & Me. It may be PG rated but it is not a children's film surely?

pointydog · 15/03/2009 11:19

I'll ask dd1 this evening about how loudly people were crying aroundher yesterday. Will be interested to find out.

KingCanuteIAm · 15/03/2009 11:19

The review I had read (on a major review site) just said "Follows a couple and their naughty dog" I had no clue that it would go that way.

Yes, NT, GM said that was the same in our cinema. Kids really upset, parents found it difficult to explain. When I asked "so what was the happy ending" there was no answer.

I understand that death of a pet and miscarraige are things that may touch a child at some point but I am not sure they are really fit for a lighthearted kids movie - at least not if they were not advertised.

As for it being 12 years long (IYSWIM) how many films have been the type that end up fading out on the animal in their twilight years when all the drama and silliness is over and doggy wants to curl up by a nice warm fire. THere was no reason (IMO) to expect the ending as it was.

lilymolly · 15/03/2009 11:20

Not sure if it is a young childrens film tbh, its more about the couples life, rather than a cutsy dog iyswim?

There are references to sex, miscarriage and of course death.....I would have thought 10/11 yr olds would enjoy it and it would be appropriate though

lilymolly · 15/03/2009 11:22

I thought the ending was very appropriate tbh.....thats what happens when you have to end the life of a much loved pet and that is what the book writes about.

Tis NOT a disney film

KingCanuteIAm · 15/03/2009 11:23

Hippo, PG means PG and so is a kids film, think about it - why would then need Parental Guidance if they were not children

Mine were over 8 not under so I don't think that argument counts for anything.

"Death is a part of life" hmm, yeah, that is a great argument, so is rape, murder... do you let your 10yo watch CSI?

I am cross because I did do some research to try to find out why a pg not a U and concluded that (as nothing about tough story lines was mentioned) that it was likely to be a bit of language or a vague sexual referance - all of which I am quite happy to deal with.

Mumcentreplus · 15/03/2009 11:24

It was not recommended as a kids movie...at least not that I saw...I haven't seen the Marley and me Lunch-boxes as yet...

KingCanuteIAm · 15/03/2009 11:25

Why have they been advertising it HEAVILY on childrens channels then? I mean several trailers shown every commercial break. I am not sure if they may actually have been sponsering the childrens movie segment on that particular channel

poppy34 · 15/03/2009 11:28

have avoided this for this reason - I cried my heart out at the book .

Mumcentreplus · 15/03/2009 11:28

If you have ever had a pet you would realise that Death is part of life...and it has to be dealt with...PG indicates you can't fall asleep during this movie...there may be parts of it you may not want a young person to see or they may not understand...

Original poster
nametaken · 15/03/2009 11:29

that's coz Marley chewed em all up

OP posts:
lucykate · 15/03/2009 11:29

"The review I had read (on a major review site) just said "Follows a couple and their naughty dog" I had no clue that it would go that way"

kingcanute, the story is originally from a book, so it's fairly easy to find out the full storyline, just because it has a dog in it, it doesn't automatically make it a lighthearted kids movie surely.

TrillianAstra · 15/03/2009 11:30

PG doesn't mean it's a film aimed at children, it just means it may be suitable for some children to watch. For example Groundhog Day is PG but it's not a children's film, there aren't even any children in it (apart from the kid who falls out of the tree).

Sad films, of any rating, are going to upset anyone who is especially sensitive, regardless of age. Is it such a bad thing to see a sad film and cry though?

Out of interest, do you let your 11 and 12 year old watch 12A films?