A Few Good Men Movie Review (2025)

Common Sense Media Review

A Few Good Men Movie Review (1) By Joyce Slaton, based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Complex military whodunit. For mature teens+.

  • Parents Need to Know

    Parents need to know that this film's lack of gory violence or explicit sex makes it a relatively good choice for those who like political thrillers. However, the plot might be too complex and slow-paced for all but the most mature teenagers. There is some strong language and a graphic oral sex reference.

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  • Language

    a lot

    Several F-words and a graphic oral sex reference.

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  • Sex, Romance & Nudity

    some

    No nudity, but one scene discusses oral sex quite explicitly.

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  • Violence & Scariness

    some

    Gore is at a minimum but the movie begins with two marines forcibly tying up another and then blood is seen staining a bed.

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  • Positive Messages

    none

    Many characters are seen taking political expedient but morally ambiguous actions.

Where to Watch

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  • A Few Good Men Movie Review (2)

A Few Good Men

Parent and Kid Reviews

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  • Parents Say (9)
  • Kids Say (31)

age 15+

Based on 9 parent reviews

Beatrix Kiddo-Orteza Parent

October 3, 2013

age 12+

VERY EXCELLENT. Yet watch out for what your children could ask you.

This may have some language and complex themes. Commander Joanne Galloway is a strong, willing and dedicated character. Lt. Col. Daniel Kaffee learned to prioritize things. The message about honor and honesty was crystal clear - "You don't have to wear patches to be honorable". Besides a quarter of f-bombs and other mild expletives, parents also should watch for a brief sexual reference; children might ask questions about it. Parents also should watch for possible questions, like the law and marines. Children can learn about court martials and how is it to be in the navy. This film is very great, but children who do not know much about the navy needs guide for possible questions. 12+

Tony F. Parent of 11-year-old

March 28, 2023

age 14+

Good movie

It’s a good movie, but not for young children there’s a scary Scene where someone is wrapped in duct tape and drowns in his own blood there are some swear words.

See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When an unpopular Marine winds up dead after being hazed by two of his unit mates in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Navy lawyer Lt. J. G. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is assigned to defend the presumed murderers at their court martial, in a presumably open-and-shut case. But as Kaffee probes further under the urging of Internal Affairs' Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), he finds there's more to the case than meets the eye.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:

Parents say (9):

Kids say (31):

Younger teens will probably be bored by the film's lack of action, but for families looking for talking points on the military, or those who just like a courtroom drama, this is a solid choice. A Few Good Men was adapted from a Broadway play, and it shows; most of the film is filled with set pieces in which the actors sit at restaurants and in court rooms and offices, endlessly debating the case and the issues around it. Did the dead Marine bring on his fate by breaking the Marine's code of honor, as the base's commanding officer, Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicolson), suggests? If so, does that make the dead soldier a victim or a perpetrator himself?

For adults or very mature teens, A Few Good Men brings up complex and interesting issues surround the military and the duties of soldiers in uniform: the nature of conformity, persecution of the weak, the price of unquestioning obedience to superiors.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the duties of a citizen to their family and their country. Was the death of the marine justified in favor of national security? Does Col. Jessup's military record automatically make him qualified to hold his position? How does the trial cause Lt. Kaffee to question his own values?

Movie Details

  • In theaters : December 9, 1992
  • On DVD or streaming : May 29, 2001
  • Cast : Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise
  • Director : Rob Reiner
  • Inclusion Information : Female actors
  • Studio : Columbia Tristar
  • Genre : Drama
  • Run time : 138 minutes
  • MPAA rating : R
  • MPAA explanation : language
  • Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
  • Last updated : December 19, 2024

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