The Commitments (1991) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Jimmy Rabbitte, just a thick-ya out of school, gets a brilliant idea: to put a soul band together in Barrytown, his slum home in north Dublin. First he needs musicians and singers: things slowly start to click when he finds three fine-voiced females virtually in his back yard, a lead singer (Deco) at a wedding, and, responding to his ad, an aging trumpet player, Joey "The Lips" Fagan.
Rated R • 1991 • 1h 58m
Overall: A young working-class Dubliner assembles a soul music band from scratch in the north Dublin housing projects. The R rating covers constant strong language. Alan Parker's most joyful film.
Cast
Is The Commitments appropriate for kids?
Overall: A young working-class Dubliner assembles a soul music band from scratch in the north Dublin housing projects. The R rating covers constant strong language. Alan Parker's most joyful film. Read more — free account
Content severity in The Commitments
What happens in The Commitments, moment by moment
- 0:05 💬 Language 7/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:38 💬 Language 7/10
Sex and nudity in The Commitments
There are no depictions of sexual acts or nudity within the film. The content remains focused on the musical aspirations of the group, with interpersonal dynamics staying strictly non-explicit in nature.
Violence and gore in The Commitments
The film does not contain any physical violence, gore, or combat sequences. While the characters often engage in heated verbal arguments and high-energy rehearsals, the conflict never escalates into physical harm or injury.
Language in The Commitments
The film features constant, pervasive use of strong profanity, primarily the 'f-word,' which is used as a frequent rhythmic component of the characters' Dublin vernacular. This heavy linguistic realism is the primary reason for the movie's R rating, though the tone remains grounded and conversational rather than aggressive.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Commitments
There is no notable depiction of drug use or alcohol abuse throughout the narrative. The characters are largely focused on their professional musical development and rehearsals, avoiding scenes of intoxication or substance-related subplots.
Mature themes in The Commitments
'The Irish are the blacks of Europe, and Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland.' A film about where soul music comes from — suffering transposed into joy. The band falling apart is as moving as it is inevitable. The music performances are genuinely thrilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Commitments appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Commitments is best for ages 15+. It's rated R. Overall: A young working-class Dubliner assembles a soul music band from scratch in the north Dublin housing projects. The R rating covers constant strong language. Alan Parker's most joyful film.
What age rating does The Commitments have?
The Commitments is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 15+.
What is The Commitments about?
Overall: A young working-class Dubliner assembles a soul music band from scratch in the north Dublin housing projects. The R rating covers constant strong language. Alan Parker's most joyful film.
Is there sex or nudity in The Commitments?
There are no depictions of sexual acts or nudity within the film. The content remains focused on the musical aspirations of the group, with interpersonal dynamics staying strictly non-explicit in nature.
How violent is The Commitments?
The film does not contain any physical violence, gore, or combat sequences. While the characters often engage in heated verbal arguments and high-energy rehearsals, the conflict never escalates into physical harm or injury.
Is the language in The Commitments appropriate for kids?
The film features constant, pervasive use of strong profanity, primarily the 'f-word,' which is used as a frequent rhythmic component of the characters' Dublin vernacular. This heavy linguistic realism is the primary reason for the movie's R rating, though…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Commitments?
There is no notable depiction of drug use or alcohol abuse throughout the narrative. The characters are largely focused on their professional musical development and rehearsals, avoiding scenes of intoxication or substance-related subplots.
What mature themes appear in The Commitments?
'The Irish are the blacks of Europe, and Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland.' A film about where soul music comes from — suffering transposed into joy. The band falling apart is as moving as it is inevitable. The music performances are genuinely thrilling.
How long is The Commitments?
The Commitments runs 118 minutes, directed by Alan Parker, released in 1991.
Where can I read the full The Commitments parent guide?
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