Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Prince and the Surfer is a 1999 modern-day retelling of Mark Twain's "The Prince and the Pauper." Less than two minutes after the actor Jon Voight introduces the film as part of a wholesome, family-oriented attempt to update Mark Twain's stories for modern audiences, the movie's theme song -- played three times during the movie -- talks of how a girl doesn't like the singer's "retard dance." Aside from this, there is some brief violence -- a rich bully has it out for "the surfer," and there's some pushing and shoving between characters. The antagonist of the movie is hit in the groin with a golf putter -- which leads to a double entendre involving golf balls. Also, for the record, aside from a father telling his son about the days when he used to surf, there is very little in the way of actual surfing, as the teens in the movie are always on or near skateboards. Finally, part of their attempt at "modernizing" Twain's novel here is by substituting Twain's narrative voice for the voiceover of a narrator attempting a very stereotypical "Californian" voice peppered with "dude," "totally," etc.

Sexual Content

Teen kissing and innocent flirtation.

Violence

Some bullying from a rich man who drives a sports car and doesn't like Cash and his skateboarding friends. When Cash and the Prince switch places, this bully shoves the Prince to the ground, causing the Prince to knock his head into a garbage can. The antagonist is hit in the groin area with a golf putter.

Language

In the main song played in the movie three times, the phrase "retard dance" is in the lyrics. After the antagonist is knocked down after being hit in the groin with a golf putter, a double entendre is made about golf balls. The word "ass" is used once.

Social Behavior

This film explores the idea that it doesn't matter who you are on the outside -- it's who you are on the inside that counts most.

Consumerism

Early in the movie, a father and son are sitting down to breakfast. The son drinks from a large soda in which White Castle is prominently featured on the cup. The father drinks from a White Castle coffee mug that is conveniently turned away from him so the logo is easier for the audience to see.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

The antagonist is seen smoking a cigar.