Places in the Heart (1984) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
In 1935 rural Texas, recently widowed Edna Spaulding struggles to survive with two small children, a farm to run, and very little money in the bank - not to mention a deadly tornado and the unwelcome presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Edna is aided by her beautician sister, Margaret; a blind boarder, Mr. Will; and a would-be thief, Moze, who decides to teach Edna how to plant and harvest cotton.
Rated PG • 1984 • 1h 51m
In Depression-era Texas, a widowed mother struggles to save her family farm with help from an unlikely group of companions. The film is rated PG and recommended for ages 12 and up primarily due to depictions of racial violence, including a fatal shooting and Ku Klux Klan activity, as well as a perilous tornado sequence. While the story focuses on resilience and community, parents should be prepared for mature themes surrounding… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Places in the Heart appropriate for kids?
In Depression-era Texas, a widowed mother struggles to save her family farm with help from an unlikely group of companions. The film is rated PG and recommended for ages 12 and up primarily due to depictions of racial violence, including a fatal shooting and Ku Klux Klan… Read more — free account
Content severity in Places in the Heart
What happens in Places in the Heart, moment by moment
- 0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:18 💬 Language 2/10
Sex and nudity in Places in the Heart
There is no overt sexual content or nudity depicted in the film. The story maintains a focus on historical struggle and survival, avoiding romantic or physical intimacy. As a result, parents do not need to worry about any sexually explicit material.
Violence and gore in Places in the Heart
The film opens with a tragic, sudden fatal shooting of a sheriff, followed by the extrajudicial killing of the perpetrator by a mob. A harrowing tornado sequence creates significant peril as characters flee for their lives. Additionally, members of the Ku Klux Klan engage in a brutal assault on a Black character, reflecting the harsh realities of the Depression-era South.
Language in Places in the Heart
The dialogue contains infrequent mild language, including uses of 'hell' and 'damn,' which are consistent with the film's 1980s PG rating. Occasional period-accurate vernacular is used, though it remains relatively restrained for a drama of this nature. The impact of the language is secondary to the emotional weight of the narrative.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Places in the Heart
There are no significant depictions of alcohol, drug use, or illicit substance abuse throughout the movie. Characters may be seen in settings where social drinking could occur, but consumption is not a focus of the plot. The film remains clean in this regard, adhering to its family-friendly maturity level.
Mature themes in Places in the Heart
The film's final scene — a communion service in which the living and the dead sit together — is one of cinema's most mysterious and moving endings. A woman's resilience. Racial violence in the Depression South depicted with directness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Places in the Heart appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Places in the Heart is best for ages 12+. It's rated PG. In Depression-era Texas, a widowed mother struggles to save her family farm with help from an unlikely group of companions. The film is rated PG and recommended for ages 12 and up primarily due to depictions of racial…
What age rating does Places in the Heart have?
Places in the Heart is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 12+.
What is Places in the Heart about?
In Depression-era Texas, a widowed mother struggles to save her family farm with help from an unlikely group of companions. The film is rated PG and recommended for ages 12 and up primarily due to depictions of racial violence, including a fatal shooting and Ku Klux Klan activity, as well as a perilous tornado…
Is there sex or nudity in Places in the Heart?
There is no overt sexual content or nudity depicted in the film. The story maintains a focus on historical struggle and survival, avoiding romantic or physical intimacy. As a result, parents do not need to worry about any sexually explicit material.
How violent is Places in the Heart?
The film opens with a tragic, sudden fatal shooting of a sheriff, followed by the extrajudicial killing of the perpetrator by a mob. A harrowing tornado sequence creates significant peril as characters flee for their lives. Additionally, members of the Ku…
Is the language in Places in the Heart appropriate for kids?
The dialogue contains infrequent mild language, including uses of 'hell' and 'damn,' which are consistent with the film's 1980s PG rating. Occasional period-accurate vernacular is used, though it remains relatively restrained for a drama of this nature. The…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Places in the Heart?
There are no significant depictions of alcohol, drug use, or illicit substance abuse throughout the movie. Characters may be seen in settings where social drinking could occur, but consumption is not a focus of the plot. The film remains clean in this regard…
What mature themes appear in Places in the Heart?
The film's final scene — a communion service in which the living and the dead sit together — is one of cinema's most mysterious and moving endings. A woman's resilience. Racial violence in the Depression South depicted with directness.
How long is Places in the Heart?
Places in the Heart runs 111 minutes, directed by Robert Benton, released in 1984.
Where can I read the full Places in the Heart parent guide?
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