The Tempest
By Christopher Gildemeister
Release Date:
December 10, 2010
MPAA rating:
PG-13
for some nudity, suggestive content and scary images
Starring:
Helen Mirren, Ben Whishaw, Djimon Hounsou, Felicity Jones, Reeve
Carney
Recommended age:
13+
Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating:
Green
|
Sex |
Brief partial nudity |
|
Violence |
Slapping, minor supernatural violence |
|
Language |
“damn,” minor toilet humor |
|
Behavior |
Drinking, lying, cheating, revenge |
In this screen adaptation of the Shakespeare play, Helen Mirren
plays Prospera (a recasting of the male Prospero in the play), a
sorceress and former Duchess of Milan, exiled to a barren island
with only her innocent daughter Miranda, the genie-like Ariel, and
the brutish Caliban for company. When a ship carrying the brother
who deposed her approaches the island, Prospera magically causes a
storm (the “tempest” of the title) which strands the ship’s
inhabitants on the island. There, with Ariel’s help, Prospera plots
to wed Miranda to her foe’s son, Ferdinand – and avenge herself on
those who have wronged her.
There is little content of concern to parents in The Tempest.
The magical Ariel is nude throughout the movie, but his genitals are
never seen; similarly, Caliban wears only a loincloth. Though she
sets the stage for Miranda and Ferdinand to become romantically
involved, Prospera repeatedly warns Ferdinand not to have sex with
Miranda – a command he willingly obeys. Drunken butler Stephano and
jester Trinculo, also shipwrecked on the island, slap one another
and engage in crude humor, like making gas-passing noises and
urinating on trees. At Prospera’s command, Ariel causes the ship to
burst into magical flame and become stranded, and puts the rest of
the crew to sleep. He also appears to the castaways in a variety of
demonic-looking forms.
With artistic special effects, an eerie musical score, and brilliant
acting from a cast including Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, Alfred
Molina, and Tom Conti, this production of The Tempest offers
a tremendous opportunity to expose teens to the power and beauty of
Shakespeare’s language and classic drama.
Because of its high quality and educational nature, the Parents
Television Council is proud to award The Tempest with the
PTC Seal of ApprovalTM. As younger children may have
difficulty understanding Shakespeare’s language, the PTC does not
recommend The Tempest for viewers under age 13.
