Courageous
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
Four police officers in Georgia try to be better fathers. After one officer's little girl is killed by a drunk driver, he makes a promise to God to lead his family well. His friends make the same promise, and it changes their homes. It is an earnest, prayerful film that honors fathers, honesty and forgiveness, though the acting is uneven and the police violence is real. Catholic viewers should notice that Javier's family has left its Catholic faith for evangelical worship, which the film treats as unremarkable. The one age is 13, set by the MPA PG-13 and the Catholic A-II classification; Common Sense Media says 12.
For parents
One age: 13, set by the MPA PG-13 and the Catholic A-II classification. Common Sense Media says 12. The violence is the main concern: a carjacking, chases, fistfights, a gang beating, tasing, and a shootout in which a little girl is nearly taken hostage (Plugged In, Kids-In-Mind). A child dies off screen and her funeral is shown. An officer steals and sells evidence drugs. A young officer admits a college hookup that led to a child he abandoned, and abortion is discussed. Language is mild. Talk about it: Why did the men's promise need to be made before God? What did Javier risk by refusing to lie? Javier's family seems to have left the Catholic Church. What do we have in the Mass and the sacraments that a Resolution alone cannot give?