Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Amarcord, one of Fellini's best movies and one of the most evocative coming-of-age stories ever made, does not flinch from frank sexual content. For example, in one scene, four boys in their early teens sit in a car and masturbate, moaning the names of women they're fantasizing about. In another scene, a woman sits on a teen boy's lap and shoves her exposed breasts into his face, ordering him to suck and kiss them. Several characters smoke (including teen boys in one scene) and there's some social drinking, too. Language (subtitled) is strong throughout, including "f--k," "a--hole," and more. For mature adults, Amarcord is a timeless celebration of the intersections between life, dreams, imagination, and memory.

Sexual Content

Strong sexual content. During a confession with a priest, a boy flashes back to the women he has had sexual fantasies about. Four boys sit in a car and masturbate, moaning the names of women they are fantasizing about. There is no nudity, but the car bounces in rhythm with their movements. A large woman sits on the lap of a teen boy and has the boy suck on her exposed breasts. The prostitute of the village is often seen leering and moaning at men as they pass by.

Violence

A father is forced to drink alcohol by Fascist interrogators. A mentally ill man sits in a tree and throws rocks at those attempting to climb the tree and take him down. Soldiers fire guns at a record player playing a "subversive" song from a bell tower.

Language

Frequent profanity: "F--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "cock," "ass," and "bastard."

Social Behavior

There's an underlying theme of the ridiculousness of unjust authority -- from a dictator to a priest -- as well as the sense that the Italians are resilient and that life carries on despite extreme circumstances.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Adult characters smoke cigarettes. In the school bathroom, two boys share a cigarette. At the dinner table and on a picnic, characters drink wine.