Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel star in the movie "News of the World." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Universal)

By Catholic News Service

Epic adventure, set in 1870 Texas, in which a Confederate veteran (Tom Hanks) accidentally becomes the temporary guardian of a 10-year-old orphan girl (Helena Zengel) and reluctantly undertakes a journey of hundreds of miles to deliver her to her only surviving relatives.

Director and co-writer Paul Greengrass’ visually expansive yet emotionally understated screen version of Paulette Jiles’ 2016 novel explores the ethnic, sectional and economic tensions of the Reconstruction era as well as the redemptive bond uniting two victims of personal tragedy. But a sequence premised on the potential sexual exploitation of Zengel’s character and an immoral offscreen encounter for Hanks make this fare for grown-ups.

Considerable stylized violence, implied nonmarital, possibly adulterous, sexual activity, mature themes, including sexual abuse, a few profanities, about a half-dozen milder oaths, a single use each of crude and crass language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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