A Civil Action

  
 

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ASSIGNED NUMBERS

Unlike the MPAA we do not assign one inscrutable rating based on age, but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY, VIOLENCE/GORE and PROFANITY on a scale of 0 to 10, from lowest to highest, depending on quantity and context.

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Sex & Nudity
Violence & Gore
Profanity
1 to 10

MPAA Rating: PG-13

John Travolta stars as Jan Schlichtmann, a personal injury attorney who has an ego as big as the courtroom. He gets involved in an environmental injury case that saps his energy and money. Directed by Steven Zaillian, and based on a true story by Jonathan Harr. Robert Duvall co-stars as Schlichtmann's cornpone opposing counsel who can beat any attorney at his or her own game. Also with Tony Shalhoub and William H. Macy.

SEX/NUDITY 0 - None.

VIOLENCE/GORE 1 - A man becomes angry and knocks everything off his desk, and strips the diplomas off his wall as glass breaks and objects crash. A couple try to revive their son who has died in their car (but it's blurry; we're looking from outside the car).

PROFANITY 5 - Two F-words and one mumbled F-word, a couple scatological references, a few mild obscenities and a couple anatomical references. [profanity glossary]

DISCUSSION TOPICS - The legal system, lawyers, environmental injury, big business.

MESSAGE - Sometimes the little guy wins, but at what cost?

Special Keywords: S0 - V1 - P5 - MPAAPG-13

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