Jack (1996) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Born with a rare condition that makes him age four times faster than normal, ten-year-old Jack Powell looks like a forty-year-old man. After years of homeschooling, he enters public school for the first time, eager to make friends and live like any other kid—only to discover that growing up too fast means learning some of life’s hardest lessons early.
Rated PG-13 • 1996 • 1h 53m
Director Francis Ford Coppola's "Jack" is rated PG-13 primarily for mature thematic elements and a sequence involving alcohol. The film tells the story of Jack Powell, a 10-year-old boy who ages four times faster than normal, giving him the body of a 40-year-old. Parents should be aware of a significant scene where Jack, looking like an adult, goes to a bar, gets drunk, gets into a fight, and makes an inappropriate advance on a woman… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Jack appropriate for kids?
Director Francis Ford Coppola's "Jack" is rated PG-13 primarily for mature thematic elements and a sequence involving alcohol. The film tells the story of Jack Powell, a 10-year-old boy who ages four times faster than normal, giving him the body of a 40-year-old. Parents should… Read more — free account
Content severity in Jack
What happens in Jack, moment by moment
- 0:15 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
- 0:22 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:29 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in Jack
Contains some sexual innuendo and thematic content. Jack's friends have him use his adult appearance to buy a men's magazine containing pictures of women in revealing swimwear. He develops a crush on his teacher, which is handled gently. The most notable scene involves a drunk Jack making a clumsy and inappropriate romantic advance toward his friend's mother in a bar, for which he later feels ashamed.
Violence and gore in Jack
Violence is infrequent and not graphic. In a comedic scene, Jack scares some kids by throwing a fake, slimy eyeball. There is some light shoving and tension during a school basketball game. The most significant moment occurs when an intoxicated Jack gets into a brief bar fight; it involves pushing, shouting, and a punch before being broken up and leading to his arrest.
Language in Jack
Language is moderate for a PG-13 film. There are uses of words like "hell," "damn," and "ass." During the bar fight sequence, the language escalates, and at least one use of "s--t" can be heard in the heat of the argument.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Jack
A key sequence depicts underage drinking with serious consequences. Jack, who appears to be a 40-year-old man, goes into a bar and drinks whiskey until he is heavily intoxicated. His drunkenness leads to belligerent behavior, a fight, and his arrest. Adults are also shown drinking socially (beer, wine) in other scenes.
Mature themes in Jack
The film is built on mature and emotionally heavy themes. The central concept is Jack's accelerated aging condition, which forces him and his family to confront his mortality and significantly shortened lifespan. The story deals with social ostracism, bullying, and the feeling of being an outcast. A pivotal scene involves a hospital diagnosis of heart problems (angina), and Jack later experiences a period of deep depression, locking himself away from the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jack appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Jack is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Director Francis Ford Coppola's "Jack" is rated PG-13 primarily for mature thematic elements and a sequence involving alcohol. The film tells the story of Jack Powell, a 10-year-old boy who ages four times faster than…
What age rating does Jack have?
Jack is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Jack about?
Director Francis Ford Coppola's "Jack" is rated PG-13 primarily for mature thematic elements and a sequence involving alcohol. The film tells the story of Jack Powell, a 10-year-old boy who ages four times faster than normal, giving him the body of a 40-year-old. Parents should be aware of a significant scene where…
Is there sex or nudity in Jack?
Contains some sexual innuendo and thematic content. Jack's friends have him use his adult appearance to buy a men's magazine containing pictures of women in revealing swimwear. He develops a crush on his teacher, which is handled gently. The most notable…
How violent is Jack?
Violence is infrequent and not graphic. In a comedic scene, Jack scares some kids by throwing a fake, slimy eyeball. There is some light shoving and tension during a school basketball game. The most significant moment occurs when an intoxicated Jack gets into…
Is the language in Jack appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate for a PG-13 film. There are uses of words like "hell," "damn," and "ass." During the bar fight sequence, the language escalates, and at least one use of "s--t" can be heard in the heat of the argument.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Jack?
A key sequence depicts underage drinking with serious consequences. Jack, who appears to be a 40-year-old man, goes into a bar and drinks whiskey until he is heavily intoxicated. His drunkenness leads to belligerent behavior, a fight, and his arrest. Adults…
What mature themes appear in Jack?
The film is built on mature and emotionally heavy themes. The central concept is Jack's accelerated aging condition, which forces him and his family to confront his mortality and significantly shortened lifespan. The story deals with social ostracism…
How long is Jack?
Jack runs 113 minutes, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, released in 1996.
Where can I read the full Jack parent guide?
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