Not recommended under 12, PG to 14 (Themes; Lack of interest)
This topic contains:
Children under 12 | Not recommended due to themes and lack of interest |
Children 12-14 | Parental guidance recommended due to themes and lack of interest |
Children 14 and over | OK for this age group |
This section contains details about the movie, including its classification by the Australian Government Classification Board and the associated consumer advice lines. Other classification advice (OC) is provided where the Australian film classification is not available.
Name of movie: | Song for Marion |
Classification: | PG |
Consumer advice lines: | Mild themes and coarse language |
Length: | 94 minutes |
This review of the movie contains the following information:
Song for Marion stars Terence Stamp as Arthur, a grumpy, misanthropic pensioner who has trouble understanding why his wife Marion (Vanessa Redgrave) would want to embarrass herself by singing as part of an elderly choir group. As Marion’s health deteriorates and she loses her battle with cancer, Arthur tries to accommodate the wishes of his wife and frequently takes her to choir practice, opting to isolate himself outside and smoke in a secluded area during their rehearsals. However, choir director Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton) appears to see something beyond Arthur’s cold exterior, and refuses to give up on encouraging him to participate.
After Marion dies, Arthur realises that change is indeed possible for him. He joins the choir, trying hard to let go of the long-standing bitterness and anger that he has used in the past to protect himself from getting close to people, including his estranged son James (Christopher Eccleston).
When a long-awaited singing competition takes place and the choir is told they will not be allowed to sing, Arthur takes action.
Children and adolescents may react adversely at different ages to themes of crime, suicide, drug and alcohol dependence, death, serious illness, family breakdown, death or separation from a parent, animal distress or cruelty to animals, children as victims, natural disasters and racism. Occasionally reviews may also signal themes that some parents may simply wish to know about.
Ageing and death; terminal illness; family relationships
Research shows that children are at risk of learning that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution when violence is glamourised, performed by an attractive hero, successful, has few real life consequences, is set in a comic context and / or is mostly perpetrated by male characters with female victims, or by one race against another.
Repeated exposure to violent content can reinforce the message that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution. Repeated exposure also increases the risks that children will become desensitised to the use of violence in real life or develop an exaggerated view about the prevalence and likelihood of violence in their own world.
None of concern
Children under five are most likely to be frightened by scary visual images, such as monsters, physical transformations.
There is one scene in this movie that could scare or disturb children under the age of eight:
Children aged five to eight will also be frightened by scary visual images and will also be disturbed by depictions of the death of a parent, a child abandoned or separated from parents, children or animals being hurt or threatened and / or natural disasters.
Children in this age group are also likely to be disturbed by the above-mentioned scene
Children aged eight to thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic threats and dangers, violence or threat of violence and / or stories in which children are hurt or threatened.
Younger children in this age group may also be disturbed by the above-mentioned scene
Children over the age of thirteen are most likely to be frightened by realistic physical harm or threats, molestation or sexual assault and / or threats from aliens or the occult.
Nothing of concern
None of concern
There were few sexual references in this movie, including:
Arthur and Marion share two brief kisses during the course of the film
There was some use of substances in this movie, including:
There is some coarse language in this movie, including:
Song for Marion is a heart-warming film that highlights the difficulties that come with change and ageing. Arthur is a man who has shut off his emotions in an attempt to cope with the imminent death of his wife, but has lost sight of what it really means to live. After she dies, he begins to realise that he has to change his ways, or he risks living in isolation and misery for the rest of his days.
The film lacks interest for children and its themes of ageing and terminal illness make it more suited to adults. Younger children may be upset by scenes of Marion’s death.
Values in this movie that parents may wish to reinforce with older children include:
Tip: Leave out the first A, An or The
Selecting an age will provide a list of movies with content suitable for this age group. Children may also enjoy movies selected via a lower age.
Content is age appropriate for children this age
Some content may not be appropriate for children this age. Parental guidance recommended
Content is not age appropriate for children this age
Children and Media Australia (CMA) is a registered business name of the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM).
CMA provides reviews, research and advocacy to help children thrive in a digital world.
ACCM is national, not-for-profit and reliant on community support. You can help.
ABN: 16 005 214 531