The film Titanic - too depressing for 12 yr olds??

[mynaughtylittlesister]

that's it really!

DD3 wants to watch it with her friend but the friends mother says its too depressing. I have sat here this evening feeling a bad mum as I did not give it a second thought! Both of the girls are 12, My DD wants to watch it in 3D. Obviously she will have a lift there and back, they have both been to the cinema before on their own.

It's not like they don't know the ending ! Mine saw it at 11 and was more worried about our ferry sinking on holiday than being worried about the actors. Tell them to take some tissues and they'll have a good girlie night. Now, I'm deciding whether to let my 12 year old see the Hunger Games (read book, bit violent but apparently 'everyone' else is going).

I saw it the first time when I was 12. Was my first ever date.

It is depressing but it's not like they don't already know the ship sinks and people die.

The only thing I would possibly worry about is the steamy sex scene in the car

Gosh, DD (7) loves Titanic and has watched the DVD about a million times!

Foof. That scene is so unrealistic you could actually just tell them they'd popped the kettle on

You don't see anything in the sex scene FoofFighter! As far as I remember you don't see boobs, and then theres a hand up the window. It's tame as far as sex scenes are concerned.

I know there's no full frontal pubing hardcore shagging going on but it is rather.... erotic?
It's a matter of personal taste really isn't it and some 12yo would be fine with it and some would be not fine. It's worth mentioning surely so parents can make an informed choice no?

of course yes but you made it sound like you saw dicaprio's penis :o

Are 12 yr olds just supposed to see happy films, read happy books etc

I don't think that we do our DCs any favours by editing everything out of their lives that isn't 100% 'happy'. Most 12 yr olds seem to love it.

I remember watching the sex scene in The Thorn Birds aged about 9.

VIVIDLY

Aah, happy days.

DS 6 loves it too! He wants to see it in 3d. He's titanic mad ad wants me to take him to Belfast too!

I think I was 12 when it came out the first time.

I had friends who went to see it 8 times.

Tbh I think at 12 they'll find it far less distressing. Even though it's a crap film I can't watch the bit with the woman putting her children to bed. Is that bit likely to resonate as much with a 12yo as with an adult with children of their own?

Actually my husband cried during that bit, after we had DS1.

He didn't cry first time round

I found it sad, if DD's friend is worried would it ruin it to watch it now at home/suggest DD's friends mum watches it with her daughter before seeing it, that way she can always see how she reacts and stop/ff it if she can't cope with the emotion. Or perhaps just remind them both that if they feel bad they can just pop out the cinema for a while and get an ice-cream or leave early and grab a coke or something?

I first watched it age 8 or 9, I think, but I think first time we fast-forwarded the bit where they were sinking because I found it so sad. After that though, I was fine watching it because I knew the ending and sort of dealt with it that way.

Hope this helps. xxx

I would be surprised if they didn't know the story at that age. My 9yr OLD (YR4) DD2 has been studying it in school most of this term.

DS first saw it when he was about 9. He still has to cuddle up close and hide his eyes a bit when it gets to the sad bit

Mumsneedwine - hunger games is shite. Dp and I left half way through last night...

My kids loved it, all three, even my 6 year old son...there were plenty of tears at the end but in terms of historical content and the actual story, they were fascinated. Steamy scenes in car aside, it was fab and they loved it...but won't entertain thought of ever going on a cruise now! x

I saw it at 15 & took my 12yr DSis & her friends to see it. I think it would be absolutely fine & the other mum is bring a little OTT. Some Disney films are more depressing than Titanic. I still struggle to watch Dumbo or Bambi.

DP & I think we're Barry Norman are film buffs & were berating the film, James Cameron & his "why have a 2 hour film when you can 3.5 hours" the other evening having seen an ad on TV. I discovered to my horror that just the music made me feel really nostalgic & suddenly had a real urge to go & see it.

I don't like mawkishness anywhere as a rule, and any film whose plot is basically "Look, look at these poor people expire. Isn't it SAD. Now CRY. Go on, we're playing SAD music. Cry you fuckers." is a waste of 90+ minutes of my life.

As you were.

My DS (10) wants to see Titanic because they've been learning about it at school. I saw it first time around and am trying to recall what elements make it a 12 rating. Is it the steamy sex session or is it the tragedy/death do you think?

I am v unclear as to what makes it 12 a to be honest - steamy sex session is completely inoffensive tbh , so prob the death/dying - I suppose maybe because its "real" as opposed to imagined story.. can't imagine any 12 yr old ahving any issues with it

Dd's assessment when they watched it at school aged 11 or 12 was pretty well the same as Watney's above (though couched in less Mumsnettian language) plus various comments about the unrealistic colour effects and the sheer stupidity of jumping out of a lifeboat to endanger your lover's life.