The First Wives Club (1996) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
After years of helping their hubbies climb the ladder of success, three mid-life Manhattanites have been dumped for a newer, curvier model. But the trio is determined to turn their pain into gain. They come up with a cleverly devious plan to hit their exes where it really hurts - in the wallet!
Rated PG • 1996 • 1h 42m
The First Wives Club follows three friends, Annie, Brenda, and Elise, who seek revenge on the ex-husbands who left them for younger women. The film's PG rating is primarily for its mature thematic elements, including divorce, infidelity, and a pivotal off-screen suicide that drives the plot. Parents should be aware of content including comedic and emotional confrontations, a recurring character's alcoholism, some mild sensuality and… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The First Wives Club appropriate for kids?
The First Wives Club follows three friends, Annie, Brenda, and Elise, who seek revenge on the ex-husbands who left them for younger women. The film's PG rating is primarily for its mature thematic elements, including divorce, infidelity, and a pivotal off-screen suicide that… Read more — free account
Content severity in The First Wives Club
What happens in The First Wives Club, moment by moment
- 0:02 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:03 🍷 Substances 3/10
- 0:09 ♥ Sex & Nudity 3/10
Sex and nudity in The First Wives Club
Content is limited to mild sensuality and innuendo. One scene features a large painting with brief male rear and female frontal nudity. It is implied that a separated couple has sex; a man is seen bare-chested afterward. A character briefly fondles his partner's breast over her sweater. A young adult character also informs her mother that she is a lesbian, which is handled in a matter-of-fact way.
Violence and gore in The First Wives Club
Violence is infrequent and mostly comedic. In one slapstick scene, the three main characters slap one another during an argument. Another scene shows a woman hitting a man with a soft foam baton during a therapy session. A major sequence involves the three women in peril on a malfunctioning window-washing scaffold, which plummets several stories; this is played for laughs but involves significant screaming and panic. The film opens with a character's suicide, which happens off-screen.
Language in The First Wives Club
Language is mild and infrequent, consistent with its PG rating. Profanity includes a single use of "shit" and occasional uses of terms like "bitch," "asshole," "ass," "hell," and exclamations of "God."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The First Wives Club
Alcohol use is a recurring theme for one character. Elise is an actress struggling with alcoholism and is frequently shown drinking from a flask, a bottle, or a glass throughout the film, often to excess. In the opening scene, another character drinks and smokes cigarettes before committing suicide. Social drinking occurs at parties and dinners.
Mature themes in The First Wives Club
The film is centered on mature adult themes. The primary catalyst for the plot is the suicide of a character, which is discussed throughout the film. Other major themes include marital betrayal, bitter divorce, infidelity, ageism, and sexism. Characters deal with low self-esteem, depression, and alcoholism. The main characters' journey from revenge to empowerment is the central arc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The First Wives Club appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The First Wives Club is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG. The First Wives Club follows three friends, Annie, Brenda, and Elise, who seek revenge on the ex-husbands who left them for younger women. The film's PG rating is primarily for its mature thematic elements, including…
What age rating does The First Wives Club have?
The First Wives Club is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The First Wives Club about?
The First Wives Club follows three friends, Annie, Brenda, and Elise, who seek revenge on the ex-husbands who left them for younger women. The film's PG rating is primarily for its mature thematic elements, including divorce, infidelity, and a pivotal off-screen suicide that drives the plot. Parents should be aware of…
Is there sex or nudity in The First Wives Club?
Content is limited to mild sensuality and innuendo. One scene features a large painting with brief male rear and female frontal nudity. It is implied that a separated couple has sex; a man is seen bare-chested afterward. A character briefly fondles his…
How violent is The First Wives Club?
Violence is infrequent and mostly comedic. In one slapstick scene, the three main characters slap one another during an argument. Another scene shows a woman hitting a man with a soft foam baton during a therapy session. A major sequence involves the three…
Is the language in The First Wives Club appropriate for kids?
Language is mild and infrequent, consistent with its PG rating. Profanity includes a single use of "shit" and occasional uses of terms like "bitch," "asshole," "ass," "hell," and exclamations of "God."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The First Wives Club?
Alcohol use is a recurring theme for one character. Elise is an actress struggling with alcoholism and is frequently shown drinking from a flask, a bottle, or a glass throughout the film, often to excess. In the opening scene, another character drinks and…
What mature themes appear in The First Wives Club?
The film is centered on mature adult themes. The primary catalyst for the plot is the suicide of a character, which is discussed throughout the film. Other major themes include marital betrayal, bitter divorce, infidelity, ageism, and sexism. Characters deal…
How long is The First Wives Club?
The First Wives Club runs 102 minutes, directed by Hugh Wilson, released in 1996.
Where can I read the full The First Wives Club parent guide?
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