The Secret Garden
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 8+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
Mary Lennox is a lonely girl sent to live with her uncle after her parents die. She finds a locked garden and a sick cousin named Colin. Together with a boy named Dickon, they bring the garden and Colin back to life. It is a gentle, beautifully made story about friendship, kindness and grief. One scene has the children cast a spell, so a parent should talk about it. The one age is 8, set by Common Sense Media; the film is rated G and no Catholic classification was found.
For parents
One age: 8, set by Common Sense Media (MPAA G; no Catholic classification found). Kids-In-Mind scores it 0.1.0: only an earthquake that kills Mary's parents may scare, plus themes of death, grief and illness. Christian Answers rates it better than average for all ages, but says the children cast a spell to bring Colin's father home and tells parents to explain that spells are wrong. Explain why we don't cast spells: magic tries to grab hidden power for ourselves, and that takes from God the trust we owe Him alone. We bring our wishes to God in prayer and trust His care. Talk about it: Why do the children need each other? What really helps Colin get well? Why is wishing different from praying?