 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
27 Dresses
- Review Date: April 27, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Frothy wedding romcom is fun but filled with profanity.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
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! :)
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
i think it should be for 13 year olds and up
i love it i have it on dvd its soo funny :L xx
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AGE
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!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 11, 2011
AGE
At Least My Mom Likes It
I haven't seen it in awhile. But I remember it being a pretty good movie.
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AGE
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 :)
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AGE
Pretty Good
An alright movie, pretty funny. Love the leads. Overall, I think teens will like it the most.
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Anne Fletcher |
| Cast: | Edward Burns, James Marsden, Katherine Heigl |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 107 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 17, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | April 28, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language, some innuendo and sexuality. |
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