[Ammi]

A mother is furious after she was ordered to leave a cinema showing a 15-rated film because she had her baby daughter with her.

Sam Ross was told she was 'breaking the law' by taking her baby to raunchy comedy Bad Neighbours - even though the 11-week-old girl is too young to understand any film.

The cinema now says that she should never have been sold a ticket, as age limits are strictly enforced even for infants

The 30-year-old mother of two had gone to the Vue cinema in Cambridge with a friend, and both had bought tickets but were asked to leave before the film started.

'It was totally humiliating, we were escorted out,' Ms Ross said. 'I was really looking forward to watching the movie and catching up with a friend
'As a new parent I don't get out that often and it can be difficult to find things you can do with friends.

'We were told we were breaking the law and that it was a criminal offence. It felt like we were being discriminated against. It's never been a problem before.'

The pair were eventually given a refund for their tickets, but only after a 'long, infuriating' conversation with the cinema's manager


Bad Neighbours is a 15-rated film about young parents, played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, who are trapped in a feud with Zac Efron, playing the leader of a fraternity which has moved in next door to them.

The film features repeated swear words, sexual innuendo and violent slapstick humour.

However, Ms Ross insisted that there was no reason why she should not have taken her infant daughter to the screening.

'At just 11 weeks old my daughter is totally oblivious to what's going on, she would have just gone off to sleep,' she said. 'It was a comedy not a violent film.

'If she was screaming and interrupting everyone I would totally understand and would never stay in the cinema, but she was completely fine. There were only six other people in the whole room.


A spokesman for Vue cinemas said that small children were only allowed in to U, PG and 12A-rated films, in accordance with official guidelines.

'On this particular occasion the customer should have been advised that babies are not permitted into 15 certificate films and declined the sale,' he said.

'Vue Entertainment apologises for any inconvenience caused and we are taking steps to ensure it doesn't happen again in future.'

An editor at parenting website Mumsnet said that it was normal for mothers to take small children to films which they cannot understand.

'The cinema can be a great place for a new mum and a small baby as most tiny babies are unaffected by the noise and sleep throughout the film,' Emilie Carrington said.

'It can feel great to get out of the house and do something "grown up". However, many Mumsnetters recommend going to screenings designated for mums with babies.'


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...cate-film.html

[Niamh.]

I'd be glad if I were one of the other cinema goers in there tbqh, who wants to go to see a kid free movie and have a (potentially) crying baby in there?

[Marsh.]

I'd hate it if someone brought a baby into the cinema.

Get a babysitter or watch a DVD at home.

[InOne]

If the little brat had started crying half way through then it would be a problem

[Smithy]

why would you even take a baby to the cinema wtf

dumb bitch

At 11 weeks old, she's probably too mature to appreciate bad neighbours.

[Kazanne]

They did the right thing , rules are rules , even if the baby doesn't understand.

[Crimson Dynamo]

i dont like her scarf so im with the cinema

[MTVN]

Ridiculous woman

[armand.kay]

Babies in the cinema = no.

[armand.kay]

The baby looks pressed she thought she would get in if she wore that top because it totally make her look older.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by armand.kay

The baby looks pressed she thought she would get in if she wore that top because it totally make her look older.

.....stupid baby....

[arista]

Originally Posted by armand.kay

Babies in the cinema = no.

Bang On Right

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by armand.kay

The baby looks pressed she thought she would get in if she wore that top because it totally make her look older.

[arista]

Honey its a average film
not worthy of a hissy fit

[joeysteele]

Very fortunate to even get a refund in my opinion, I agree the Cinema management did the right thing making her leave.

[Jordan.]

Shouldn't be allowed anyway never mind the age rating

[Shaun]

if anyone brought a baby into a screen i was in i'd drown it

well, that or write a passive-aggressive tweet about it anyway

[Marsh.]

She was so determined to see Zac Efron shirtless.

[user104658]

The laws are slightly stupid and arbitrary and dispense with common sense, but they are nonetheless the laws, and it's ridiculous to expect the staff to break those rules. Babies aren't allowed in bookmakers either because they're under-18... even newborns who clearly have no idea where they are... the law is what it is and staff can be fined up to Ł5000 and / or jailed for 6 months (in Scotland, longer in England I think) for failing to immediately tell anyone who brings a child in to leave. It's literally a mad scramble to get them the **** out. A lot of the parents get pretty pissed off. Frankly, it's tough ****.

The laws apply right across the board even where the "potential adult material" isn't even available to view at the time. For example, when I went to buy GTA5 (a game, rated 18) I had my four year old daughter with me... she likes to carry out the transaction is shops for fun (give them the item, hand over the money, get the item in a bag) and on that occasion, the guy serving after taking the money had to say "I know this is totally ridiculous, but I can't hand her the bag, I have to give it to you and then you can hand it to her..." because it's against the law for him to hand over an 18-rated item to someone underage... even though it was obviously for me, not her. It's just rules and regulations. Stupid ones... but, blame the policy makers, not the wageslaves.

I personally am against age rating as anything other than a guideline, anyway. IMO if a parent thinks their 13 year old is OK to go with them to see an 18 rated horror film, and the 13 year old also wants to, then they should be allowed to do so.

The original "Total Recall" (with gool ol' Arnie!) was one of my favourite films when I was about 9...

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by InOne

If the little brat had started crying half way through then it would be a problem

Yep agree!

[Josy]

Why would she take an 11 week old baby to the cinema anyway

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

The laws are slightly stupid and arbitrary and dispense with common sense, but they are nonetheless the laws, and it's ridiculous to expect the staff to break those rules. Babies aren't allowed in bookmakers either because they're under-18... even newborns who clearly have no idea where they are... the law is what it is and staff can be fined up to Ł5000 and / or jailed for 6 months (in Scotland, longer in England I think) for failing to immediately tell anyone who brings a child in to leave. It's literally a mad scramble to get them the **** out. A lot of the parents get pretty pissed off. Frankly, it's tough ****.

The laws apply right across the board even where the "potential adult material" isn't even available to view at the time. For example, when I went to buy GTA5 (a game, rated 18) I had my four year old daughter with me... she likes to carry out the transaction is shops for fun (give them the item, hand over the money, get the item in a bag) and on that occasion, the guy serving after taking the money had to say "I know this is totally ridiculous, but I can't hand her the bag, I have to give it to you and then you can hand it to her..." because it's against the law for him to hand over an 18-rated item to someone underage... even though it was obviously for me, not her. It's just rules and regulations. Stupid ones... but, blame the policy makers, not the wageslaves.

I personally am against age rating as anything other than a guideline, anyway. IMO if a parent thinks their 13 year old is OK to go with them to see an 18 rated horror film, and the 13 year old also wants to, then they should be allowed to do so.

The original "Total Recall" (with gool ol' Arnie!) was one of my favourite films when I was about 9...

I don't think it's dispensing with common sense in the way that other over 15's going to see that movie don't want to be listening to a baby crying or chattering through the movie

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I don't think it's dispensing with common sense in the way that other over 15's going to see that movie don't want to be listening to a baby crying or chattering through the movie

Well no, but that's easily solved with something they do (around here, anyway) already... Adults-only screening times. These are a godsend. Basically, they have screenings of most films rated 12A and upwards that are only for adults, and even some of the more popular PG films (they had them for things like Harry Potter...).

It's a stroke of genius. Because do you know what's even more annoying / loud than a newborn baby who is likely to sleep through the whole thing anyway)? A group of 15 year olds. Ugh. Giggling and screeching and cackling away, playing with their phones, chasing each other about, throwing popcorn at each other. Now THAT is off putting. Much rather have a whole row of babies than not one, but several, groups of loud teenagers! And you can't stop those from going to a 15 rated film .

No - specific adult viewings are the future.

Or, I tend to just go on a Monday to Wednesday afternoon during term time. You usually don't get more than 5 or 6 people at a screening... And a few times, I've had a whole cinema screen to myself .

(Yes, I go to the cinema by myself quite often, sad, I know...)

[Kizzy]

At under 3 months though wouldn't the cinema be a bit loud for baby to sleep?