The Chosen – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Chosen

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1981

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1940s friendship story about two Jewish teens from different worlds—thoughtful but honestly, pretty hard to watch in 2025.

77%

7.2

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The Chosen

movie

1981

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1940s friendship story about two Jewish teens from different worlds—thoughtful but honestly, pretty hard to watch in 2025.

77%

7.2

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77%

7.2

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: The Chosen is based on a genuinely beautiful novel about friendship, faith, and identity. The themes are timeless and enriching—two boys navigating vastly different Jewish traditions while maintaining respect and connection.

But this 1981 film? It's borderline unwatchable for modern audiences, especially kids. The pacing is glacial, the production feels like a TV movie, and it requires serious patience to sit through dialogue-heavy scenes about Talmudic study and religious philosophy. Even the 7.2 TMDB rating suggests it's fine but not compelling.

If your teen is deeply interested in Jewish culture, has read the book, or you're specifically looking for thoughtful content about religious identity, this could spark meaningful conversations. But if you're browsing for something to watch on a Friday night? Skip it. The themes deserve better than this dated adaptation can deliver.

Age Fit

Best for mature teens (14+) who can handle slow-paced, dialogue-heavy period drama and have interest in religious/cultural themes. Realistically, most modern kids—even those who love reading—will struggle to engage with this 1981 adaptation unless they have a specific connection to the subject matter.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Based on Chaim Potok's acclaimed novel, this explores a genuine friendship between two Jewish boys from vastly different backgrounds (Hasidic vs. Modern Orthodox) in 1940s Brooklyn. Models respect across differences, family loyalty, and thoughtful dialogue about faith and identity. The tone is measured and mature, focusing on emotional growth rather than manufactured drama.

Imaginative

A character-driven period drama that explores religious and cultural tensions through dialogue and relationships. While it offers a window into a specific time and community rarely depicted on screen, it's a fairly straightforward literary adaptation without visual flair or creative storytelling techniques. Invites reflection on identity and belonging but doesn't spark active imagination or creative play.

Safe

No content ratings available, but the source material and synopsis suggest a dialogue-heavy drama about friendship and faith. TMDB rating of 7.2 indicates general audience appeal. Expected to contain no violence, sexuality, or shocking content—just interpersonal and ideological conflict. The main safety consideration is thematic complexity around religious differences and family expectations, not inappropriate content.

Enriching

Offers substantive exploration of religious identity, cultural heritage, father-son relationships, and maintaining friendship across ideological divides. Particularly valuable for understanding Jewish culture and the tensions between tradition and modernity. However, the 1981 film adaptation of a 1967 novel means the pacing and style may feel dated, limiting its ability to engage and therefore enrich modern viewers.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Rare, respectful portrayal of Hasidic and Modern Orthodox Jewish life in 1940s Brooklyn
Models maintaining friendship despite deep family and religious differences—a timeless lesson
Based on Chaim Potok's beloved novel, offering literary substance and nuanced father-son relationships
Safe, dialogue-driven drama with no violence, sexuality, or shocking content

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What to Watch For

This is a 1981 film that feels every bit of its age—slow pacing, dated production, minimal action
Requires patience and maturity to engage with heavy dialogue about religious philosophy and tradition
May be most meaningful for families with Jewish heritage or specific interest in this cultural moment
Kids expecting anything resembling modern entertainment will check out in the first 10 minutes

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Danny and Reuven stayed friends even though their families were so different?"
"Have you ever had a friend whose family did things really differently from ours? How did you handle that?"
"What do you think it would be like to have your whole life path chosen for you by your parents?"
"The boys lived through World War II and the creation of Israel—how do you think those big events affected their friendship?"

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