27 Dresses (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

Frothy wedding romcom is fun but filled with profanity.


parents & educators say
  • 38% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this film is fairly charming and no more objectionable, content-wise, than most other Hollywood romantic comedies (that is, if you don't object to movies that fully embrace romcom clichés), there is a fairly liberal sprinkling of swear words (particularly "s--t") and drinking. The message -- that women aren't truly happy if they're always the bridesmaid but never the bride -- verges on being a little overly retro, but since the movie is so frothy, it manages to get away with that such old-fashioned thinking. Star Katherine Heigl was in the hit comedy Knocked Up, so teens (particularly girls) will likely be interested.

Positive messages: Nothing too bad for the romcom genre, though there are the requisite plot-driving shenanigans: A woman pretends to be someone she's not to land a fiancé ... who happens to be the man her sister loves; a reporter deceives a woman, making her think he's writing about something else when she's actually the subject of his exposé; a woman humiliates her sister at her engagement party. The overall message (that women aren't happy unless they're the bride, instead of the bridesmaid) feels a bit dated.
Violence: A woman slaps a man (hard) after he wrongs her; two sisters argue loudly, with one throwing objects at the other.
Sex: Deep kissing and making out (on a couch and in a car); sexual innuendoes (e.g. "walk of shame" and hooking up at weddings); a woman stands in her lingerie during a dress fitting.
Language: A fairly generous sprinkling of the word "s--t," plus "whore" and "a--hole."
Consumerism: Visible/referenced brands include Budweiser (a bottle appears fairly prominently in one scene) and Filofax; the dressing room of Amsale, a wedding dress designer, is shown in one scene.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Lots of drinking at wedding receptions; in a major scene, the two leads get plastered after drinking lots of hard liquor and beer.

More on 27 Dresses

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the film's message. What's wrong with being a bridesmaid? Is a woman truly not happy if she's never the bride? How does Hollywood contribute to this thinking? Families can also discuss weddings: Have they become, as one character says in the movie, an industry that capitalizes on romantic ideals? What truly makes a wedding special, if it's not the presents, the fancy dresses, and the over-the-top receptions?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigl) is a people pleaser to the core; she'll happily twist herself into a pretzel juggling two weddings in one night and playing second banana to Bridezillas -- which is how she's ended up in more than 20 wedding parties. Enter Kevin "Malcolm" Doyle (James Marsden) -- the journalist who writes Jane's favorite wedding column -- who helps her see how debilitating her selflessness has become. They hate each other at first, but then (no surprise) wind up together. Meanwhile, Jane's millionaire boss (Ed Burns) doesn't realize that she's madly infatuated with him. Instead, he falls for her vampy but vacuous sister, Tess (Malin Akerman).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

How anyone could swap Jane for Tess is a serious mystery -- just one of a number of 27 DRESSES' irritating, albeit small, flaws. On the other hand, there are some rewards -- like Judy Greer, who plays Casey, Jane's saucy, witty best friend. The movie also benefits from director Anne Fletcher's light-and-easy style (thankfully, she doesn't take the subject matter seriously) and, more importantly, the Heigl's effervescence. She and Marsden have great chemistry, making their predictable arc fairly entertaining.

The verdict: Brilliant 27 Dresses isn't, and there's something dated about the idea that a woman isn't happy when she's playing bridesmaid instead of bride. Considering that the movie was written by Aline Brosh McKenna, who also penned the bitingly exquisite The Devil Wears Prada, a bit more inventiveness shouldn't have been out of the question. But anyone who's donned a bridesmaid dress and has a romantic streak will enjoy this conventional confection -- consider it a no-guilt slice of wedding cake.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Anne Fletcher
Cast: Edward Burns, James Marsden, Katherine Heigl
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 107 minutes
Theatrical release: January 17, 2008
DVD release: April 28, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, some innuendo and sexuality.
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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 16 parent & educator reviews:
  • 38% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

ParamoreFan09
teen, 15 years old
 
Ehhhh...
If you are a mature 10 year old... you can handle it. "s***" is used and "f***" once but it blurs out before you hear anything bad... you only hear fu**"... it was a pretty painful movie to watch because all of the horrible things that happen to the main character... Its one of those movies MADE to torture the main character. The only part I liked was when she was trying on all of her bridesmaid dresses-- so fun and colorful! :)

 
Trailer Spoiled the Best Scenes
A couple of connecting plots, very predictable! A lot of back and fourth with the main charactors. All the funny parts where advertised. Overall not nearly as good as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Which would be a movie I would recommend to those who want to watch this one. Story lines not very realistic, extreme exagerations of real life. Overall entertaining. Would make a cute bridesmaid gift if your getting married soon.

SomebodysMe
teen, 17 years old
 
Nothing New!
Doesn't it bug you when people say "on for 2" on a pg-13 movie? It's rated pg-13 for a reason! Anyhow, this movie was cute, but predictable! There were a couple innuendoes and uncomfortable, but nothing new for a romcom.

gabriella.agha ...
teen, 15 years old
 
i think it should be for 13 year olds and up
i love it i have it on dvd its soo funny :L xx

MovieFan777
teen, 16 years old
 
This is not the 'Dream Wedding' you want
Though 27 Dresses has it's moments, it is just fine and not really worth spending your money on. If it's on TV I guess it's okay to give it a shot. I mean Kathrine Heigl did some good acting, but the story isn't really impressive.

TWIHARD12
teen, 15 years old
 
Perfect for teens!
Some language, a few scenes where they are making out, and they are drunk in one scene, but other than that an absolutely GREAT movie!!!!!!!!!!!

NicoleReeves
parent of 3 , 7 , 9 , 12 , 16 , and 18 year old
 
Pretty Good
An alright movie, pretty funny. Love the leads. Overall, I think teens will like it the most.

 
Offensive and Vapid
This sounded like the type of movie I would really enjoy, but it was a big disappointment! The offensive language and behavior was constant and distracting. Yes, there was a perpetual barrage of filthy words that I would rather not have to listen to at all, ever. Even worse, the leading man was prone to quoting scripture in a sarcastic way ("love is patient, love is kind, love is slowly going out of your mind"); and the leading lady at one point casually remarked, "I am Jesus." Talk about offensive!!! Behavior ranged from bad to worse: in just one example, the main character's BEST FRIEND slaps her in the face-- hard!-- as a "reality check," to which Jane meekly responds, "I deserved that." I got up and left before the end of the movie. There is no way I would take kids of any age to see this; it isn't even appropriate for thinking adults.

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
A pretty good movie
It's alright. The dresses she had made be wanna play dress-up even though I'm (obviously) too old. I watched this when I was maybe 11 or 12 years old and it didn't change anything. I'd say 10 and 11+ could handle it.

 
I simply loved this movie! Kathrine Heigl is an excellent actress and she portrays the lonely, always-the-bridesmaid type perfectly. James Marsden is a dashingly handsome fellow and his performance is adorable! A must see :)

CocoBiscotti3600
kid, 11 years old
 
At Least My Mom Likes It
I haven't seen it in awhile. But I remember it being a pretty good movie.

sunnysideup7685
teen, 16 years old
 
Sweet romcom better for a little older teens
This movie is definetly a good movie to watch at a sleepover. And the story of Katherine Heighl's character as a bridesmaid, but never a bride is hilarious and sweet. But, in the movie there is constant swearing mostly the word s--t, and in one scene Hieghl's character says mother f---. There is also constant talk about sex, getting laid, and one of the bridesmaids goes to work in mens clothing after staying the weekend with the best man. Two couples have intense makeout sessions, and Heighl's character and her lead man get smashed at a bar. Finally, two women are shown on the toliet in their wedding dresses, but you don't see anything. While there

bb20girl
teen, 14 years old
 
Cute Movie for Teens
It is romantic and cute. It is definitely a good chick flick. There is a little bit of language, sexual content, and drinking but not much. It is an adorable movie though.

froststar
teen, 14 years old
 
good!!but......
just lots of bad language and drinking!!!

moonnila
kid, 13 years old
 
The perfect chick-flick!
This is a movie worth watching 27 times! Awesome movie for girls and sleepover proof! Though a little parent guidance is needed.

JesusLuvsYew
teen, 18 years old
 
Cool!
I love this movie. Very cute.

bobcatbobby
teen, 14 years old
 
there is mother f*** and sh** is as bad as it gets but still pretty bad. but a really good movie and i reckomend it:D

ib104268
teen, 15 years old
 
Great movie for teens!
I loved this movie, it is great movie ecpecialy for tweens and teens. Depending on what you let your tween watch would it be OK. There is a little bit of language. Such as Sh**, wh*** and a** hole. But, nothing seviere, a little bit of sexual content nothing horible. And a little drinking, but in my family my parents are not very aniel on drinking in movies, because I mean it may not be right but it is legal-if your 21+. But overall great movie!

jacoblover27
kid, 13 years old
 
not for tweens

Athena Keene
teen, 14 years old
 
Great For Young Adults Seeking a Movie About KNowing Who You Are. Family Values, and A Litlle Majic!
i loved this! Katherine Heigl brings her positive funny classy self into evry movie she starts in. i love her in this. after being a bridesmaid she finally gets her dream. (Great for youung adluts and mauture kids) adults of course get a kick out of this too

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