Would you take a 7 year old to see RENT?

[punkin]

Well I did. (My 13 yr old wanted to go and so did I and my DH didn't want to stay home alone, so I took her) Of course she told her entire class and apparently described it in full detail. Did I forget to mention this is a religious school? I can't wait for the phone calls from the other paerents to start. I think I'll go over to the bad parents thread and join.

As an aside, the movie was great and the music outstanding. My older daughter and I both cried. My 7 yr old liked it too, but was a little confused about why one of the male characters was wearing skirts

 

[DoeWDW]

I went to see it with my 17 yo son last night. I don't think I'd even take a 13 yo to see it. If you can get past all the drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, sexuality stuff, there really is a great message about how your friends can truly be an extended family and support you when you need it most.

I bet your 7 yo had everyone's attention when she was talking about it at school!

 

[kristasmom]

Not exactly the same, but a few years ago I went to pick my daughter up from kindergarten (also at a religious school) and the teacher asked her what she was going to do that weekend, she told them that she was going to spend the night with her grandma because her mom was going to see a sex movie. I was so embarrassed! I was going to see Fast and the Furious!

 

[GEM]

Well, I haven't seen the movie, but I've seen the musical several times - and no, I wouldn't. I'm about as liberal as they come, but I wouldn't take a 7 year old to Rent - even though I have heard that the movie is actually a little watered down from the stage version. As somebody else said, there is a lot of drug use, sexuality, AIDS, etc. and, besides being inappropriate for a 7 year old, I wouldn't think it would interest them much. That said, I did take my high school theater group to see it on stage in NYC this summer, but they are all 15 and above. I don't have any problem with someone else making a different choice for their child, though. I'm sure it didn't scar her for life or anything.

 

[puffkin]

I wouldn't take a 7 year old either.....and I am also about as liberal as they come. The good news is that probably a lot of the stuff went over her head though. I also agree that the movie is definitely watered down compared to the play.

On an aside, I got Dirty Dancing on video for Christmas when I was about 8 (mainly because my mom wanted it). I remember all the girls at school were so jealous because they weren't allowed to see it. There was definitely a lot in that movie that went over my head for a couple of years. I mainly liked the dancing and songs. Hopefully that is the case with your daughter and you won't be forced to answer too many questions about the movie.

 

[punkin]

The sexuality in the movie wasn't that in your face. The worst thing there was when the gay and lesbian couples kissed, but that part didn't phase her tho.

Actually, I agree. Had I given it any sort of rational thought, I would not have taken her either. I'm really not defending my decision (it was stupid), I just think the consequences are funny.

 

[minkydog]

Oops!

 

[summerrluvv]

The sexuality in the movie wasn't that in your face. The worst thing there was when the gay and lesbian couples kissed, but that part didn't phase her tho.

Actually, I agree. Had I given it any sort of rational thought, I would not have taken her either. I'm really not defending my decision (it was stupid), I just think the consequences are funny.

I haven't seen the movie yet, only the musical but no, I wouldn't take my almost seven year old to see it. I would find a babysitter or stay home and since I don't have any babysitters, I will probably be waiting for it to come out on video

What are the consequences that are funny? Did I miss a post?

 

[punkin]

What are the consequences that are funny? Did I miss a post?

Funny as in embarrasing (I guess I have a strange sense of humor). I am expecting fallout from the school sometime next week. That will really crack me up.

(gallows humor)

 

[Marseeya]

Don't you love getting busted by your kids?

I remember when I was little, we went to a wedding reception. Now, my parents NEVER -- E V E R drink alcohol, but for some reason my dad was drinking beer at this reception. Needless to say, it didn't take much for him to get too drunk to drive and he got sick on the way home. All the next day, I told everybody I saw how my daddy got drunk and threw up. That taught him!

But, for as liberal as I am, I wouldn't have taken a seven year old. Sometimes adults just need places where they can be adults without kids being around. Nightclubs, bars, adult oriented movies (no, not XX), things of that nature.

Just curious though, what did you tell her about the man in skirts?

 

[MoniqueU]

Glad I read this thread. My 9 year old wanted to see it and I thought it was a musical kind of along the lines of the sound of music. I would of been in for a shock.

 

[punkin]

Just curious though, what did you tell her about the man in skirts?

I told her the truth: there are some men who prefer to wear womens' clothing. She asked if all gay men wore skirts (she knows about homosexuality because Grandma is a lesbian and one of DH's best friends lives with his BF) and I said no. In fact some of the men who like to dress like women aren't even gay. That was it. No other questions.

 

[punkin]

Glad I read this thread. My 9 year old wanted to see it and I thought it was a musical kind of along the lines of the sound of music. I would of been in for a shock.

I'm glad I could help.

 

[mbw12]

I told her the truth: there are some men who prefer to wear womens' clothing. She asked if all gay men wore skirts (she knows about homosexuality because Grandma is a lesbian and one of DH's best friends lives with his BF) and I said no. In fact some of the men who like to dress like women aren't even gay. That was it. No other questions.

I doubt I would have taken my 7 year old. I consider myself very liberal...but I think the scenes with the needles would have freaked him out....not necessarily due to drugs, that part would probably go over his head....but jsut because he is afraid of them and would probably question alot about why someone would give themselves needles!!!

Your child is exposed to alternative lifestyles, so I am sure that helped to lessen the amount of questions regarding the homosexual lifestyle. The play is phenomenol, and while I wasn't as impressed with the movie as the play.....I still love the music. My kids love the music, but I will probably wait until they are a little older before they can see it.

Let us know the "fallout" from the school.......that should be an interesting discussion, if it happens!!!!

 

[minkydog]

Glad I read this thread. My 9 year old wanted to see it and I thought it was a musical kind of along the lines of the sound of music. I would of been in for a shock.

 

[shortbun]

Well then, I'm taking my 10 year old today. He's hip to Aids, HIV AND men in skirts so this should be a walk in the park! Thanks for the thread!!! Heck, I thought it was R rated, I just looked and it's really been diluted to PG13. Harry Potter was PG13!!!! I saw the show on Broadway and based on that I thought there was a R rating. We'll be at the 4pm show!!!! Thanks for the thread!

 

[punkin]

Well then, I'm taking my 10 year old today. He's hip to Aids, HIV AND men in skirts so this should be a walk in the park! Thanks for the thread!!! Heck, I thought it was R rated, I just looked and it's really been diluted to PG13. Harry Potter was PG13!!!! I saw the show on Broadway and based on that I thought there was a R rating. We'll be at the 4pm show!!!! Thanks for the thread!

No, the PG13 rating is appropriate. There is nothing in the movie more sexual than kissing (just like Harry Potter). I took my 7 yr old to Harry Potter and that was absolutely fine, so the PG-13 rating didn't scare me. It is the subject matter of the movie that is so much more mature. I hope your 10 yr old enjoys it. My 13 yr old loved it (just turned 13) and nothing went over her head. She understood everything and I thought the movie was very age-appropriate for her.