Common Sense Note
Parents need to know there are a great many references to sex, even by the standards of teen comedies, and especially a number of references to male genitalia, including a boy who draws a picture on the face of another and a boy who pretends to expose himself in the lunchroom, using a bratwurst, as well as the usual teen references to who has "done it." There is a wild party, with teen drinking and smoking, and brief references to drug use. The scene in which a girl bears her breasts to a teacher is worth discussing.
Families can talk about how realistic the portrayal of teen life is or isn't.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Nell Minow
Bianca, a beautiful high school sophomore, longs for a social life. But her father will not let her date until her older sister Kat does. Sound familiar? This is an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" set in a Tacoma, Washington high school. The movie benefits from appealing performers and some genuinely fresh and funny dialogue, but parents should know that it contains a good bit of material that may be inappropriate for younger teens.
Commedian Larry Miller is terrific as the girls' father, overprotective because their mother abandoned the family and because as an obstetrician he sees too many pregnant teenagers. But the teachers in the movie are more juvenile than the kids, including a guidance counselor more concerned with writing a very steamy novel than with the behavior and well-being of the students, an English teacher who insults the kids and is arbitrary with discipline, and a soccer coach who is all but comatose at the sight of a girl's breasts, which she flashes to distract him from a boy's escape from detention.
Kids who enjoy this movie should watch The Taming of the Shrew starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The many parallels will make them appreciate this version even more.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentMany references to sex. Kat flashes her breasts at a teacher as a diversion (nothing shown). Kat and Bianca's dad is an obstetrician and makes his daughters wear a fake pregnant belly before they go on dates. Senior Kat discusses a bad sexual experience in 9th grade. |
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LanguageOccasional. |
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Social BehaviorTolerance of individual differences. Heroines demonstrate a very healthy attitude and strong self-esteem, defending their hearts and their bodies very capably. Kat and her father have a tough time communicating but eventually come to understand each other. |
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CommercialismPlug for Sarah Lawrence College |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOne teen character gives up smoking to attract a girl. Drinking at an out-of-control high school party. Main character throws up after drinking and dancing on a table. |
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