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A Bright Shining Lie (1998)

Parents guide

A Bright Shining Lie

Content rating

  • Motion Picture Rating (MPA)
    Rated R for war violence and some language

  • Sex & Nudity:
    Moderate
  • Violence & Gore:
    Severe
  • Profanity:
    Moderate
  • Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking:
    Mild
  • Frightening & Intense Scenes:
    Mild

Sex & Nudity

Moderate
1 of 2 found this moderate
One of the movie's main sub-themes is infidelity, as Bill Paxton's character, who is married and has 3 children, cheats on his wife while in Vietnam. There, he can be seen flirting and kissing with 2 or 3 different women (no nudity or sexual intercourse is ever pictured). There is also mention of him having harassed his children's 15 years old babysitter, who then sued him for molestation. In one scene he tells his friend that he is in love with an Asian girl he just met, and his friend jokingly asks him "how old is she? 17?", making this a reference to his predilection for underage girls.
A man can be seen lying in bed wearing only boxers.
A few children can be seen naked on the streets.
Many prostitutes can be seen in Vietnam's streets, trying to hook up with American soldiers.

Violence & Gore

Severe
1 of 2 found this severe
Some crude scenes of war including explosions, shootings and dead people. Adults and children are seen dead, injured, or crying and screaming.
Several men are found dead in their beds with their throaths slashed.
A cut human tongue is thrown inside two men's bedroom.

Profanity

Moderate
1 of 2 found this moderate
Some random strong language, nothing too heavy.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

Mild
2 of 2 found this mild
Some occasional alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking.

Frightening & Intense Scenes

Mild
1 of 1 found this mild
The war scenes are intense and saddening. One of them depicts dead people, including children, lying on the streets. Many women and children are seen screaming, crying, injured, or dead.
Two funeral scenes.

Certifications

Edit
  • Argentina
    • 13
  • Australia
    • M
  • Finland
    • K-151999, video rating
  • Germany
    • 12
  • Iceland
    • 16
  • Singapore
    • NC-16
  • South Africa
    • 16
  • South Korea
    • 15
  • United Kingdom
    • 15video rating
  • United States
    • Rcertificate #36312

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