Parents Guide: ‘When the Game Stands Tall’

This week sees the release of the true story of the De La Salle High School football team in “When the Game Stands Tall.”

The movie itself tries to be an inspirational Christian film with uplifting themes and moral lessons. Unfortunately, the film misses more than it hits on these important themes, but what we’re looking into here is the question of whether it’s OK for your kids.

Sexiness

When it comes to sex, nudity or sexual innuendo, this film is as clean as it gets. There are virtually no jokes, no allusions and not even any talk of sex. The raciest it gets is when the head coach kisses his wife briefly or when a high school girl gives a player a smooch after a game.

The “sexiness” level should be appropriate for any age.

Language

Remember when I mentioned about two seconds ago that there was virtually no sex in “When the Game Stands Tall”? Well, the same can be said for language.

There is some name calling, but it’s basically void of your “harder” curse words. The Lord’s name is taken in vain once or twice, but other than that the language is what you’d probably find in a G- rated film.

Violence (mild spoilers)

There is your typical football violence. There are some big hits and injuries on the field, but nothing that should really give too much concern.

Off the field there is one scene of violence that could be a little jarring for little ones. It’s a moment of gun violence that results in a death. Nothing is seen on screen, but it’s rather implied when the gunshots are heard.

The shooting scene is tamer than anything you’ll see in any PG-13 action film, but it’s still representing a violent death.

Adult themes

“When the Game Stands Tall” is rated PG and much of that will be because of the adult themes. These aren’t hard and disturbing themes, but more grown up none the less.

The aftermath of the aforementioned shooting scene could potentially be disturbing for really young kids, but for the most part the themes are fairly mild.

Conclusion

When it really comes down to it, “When the Game Stands Tall” will likely be appropriate for everyone in the family. Again, that’s just a suggestion; the only one who can really determine what your comfortable with showing your child is you.

While the content of the film should be appropriate for almost all audiences, I’m not sure all audiences will enjoy it. The film tries to make really great points and teach valuable lessons, but it’s rare, unfortunately, that those teachings come through like they should.

“When the Game Stands Tall” is rated PG for thematic material, a scene of violence and brief smoking.