Married Life (2008) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A very gentle middle-aged man is married, but when he falls in love with another woman, he decides that to divorce his wife would humiliate her too much – so instead he decides to kill her.
Rated PG-13 • 2008 • 1h 30m
Rated PG-13, "Married Life" is a character-driven period drama whose rating reflects its mature and complex thematic elements. The film's central plot revolves around a man, Harry Allen, who plans to poison his wife, Pat, to spare her the perceived humiliation of divorce after he falls for a younger woman. While there is no graphic violence or profanity, the story is built on a foundation of infidelity, deceit, and premeditated murder… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Married Life appropriate for kids?
Rated PG-13, "Married Life" is a character-driven period drama whose rating reflects its mature and complex thematic elements. The film's central plot revolves around a man, Harry Allen, who plans to poison his wife, Pat, to spare her the perceived humiliation of divorce after… Read more — free account
Content severity in Married Life
What happens in Married Life, moment by moment
- 0:10 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:18 🍷 Substances 2/10
- 0:35 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
Sex and nudity in Married Life
There is one brief scene of sexuality. A married woman and her lover are shown kissing passionately while in their underwear. At one point, he is shown grabbing her breast over her undergarment before they are interrupted. Another character explicitly tells her husband she enjoys having lots of sex. The film's drama stems from multiple extramarital affairs.
Violence and gore in Married Life
Violence is psychological and suspense-based rather than graphic. The central plot involves a husband planning to murder his wife by poisoning her digestive medicine. A scene shows him adding the poison to her bottle. This culminates in a very tense sequence where he races home, believing she has taken the poison and is dying. There are no fights, weapons (other than poison), or bloody injuries.
Language in Married Life
Language is not a concern in this film. There is no profanity reported.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Married Life
Substance use is period-appropriate and frequent but not a central theme. Characters regularly smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol (wine, cocktails, hard liquor) in social settings like homes, restaurants, and clubs. There is no depiction of drunkenness or drug use.
Mature themes in Married Life
The film is driven by strong and mature themes. The primary themes are infidelity and betrayal, with two of the main married characters carrying on secret affairs. The most significant theme is a husband's decision to commit murder, which he justifies as a kinder alternative to divorce. This exploration of dark psychological motivations, jealousy, and deceit is constant throughout the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Married Life appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Married Life is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Rated PG-13, "Married Life" is a character-driven period drama whose rating reflects its mature and complex thematic elements. The film's central plot revolves around a man, Harry Allen, who plans to poison his wife…
What age rating does Married Life have?
Married Life is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Married Life about?
Rated PG-13, "Married Life" is a character-driven period drama whose rating reflects its mature and complex thematic elements. The film's central plot revolves around a man, Harry Allen, who plans to poison his wife, Pat, to spare her the perceived humiliation of divorce after he falls for a younger woman. While there…
Is there sex or nudity in Married Life?
There is one brief scene of sexuality. A married woman and her lover are shown kissing passionately while in their underwear. At one point, he is shown grabbing her breast over her undergarment before they are interrupted. Another character explicitly tells…
How violent is Married Life?
Violence is psychological and suspense-based rather than graphic. The central plot involves a husband planning to murder his wife by poisoning her digestive medicine. A scene shows him adding the poison to her bottle. This culminates in a very tense sequence…
Is the language in Married Life appropriate for kids?
Language is not a concern in this film. There is no profanity reported.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Married Life?
Substance use is period-appropriate and frequent but not a central theme. Characters regularly smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol (wine, cocktails, hard liquor) in social settings like homes, restaurants, and clubs. There is no depiction of drunkenness or…
What mature themes appear in Married Life?
The film is driven by strong and mature themes. The primary themes are infidelity and betrayal, with two of the main married characters carrying on secret affairs. The most significant theme is a husband's decision to commit murder, which he justifies as a…
How long is Married Life?
Married Life runs 90 minutes, directed by Ira Sachs, released in 2008.
Where can I read the full Married Life parent guide?
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