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Even Money

(2007, Rated R, Drama, Starring Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, Forest Whitaker)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mediocre gambling drama is a pretty weak bet.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters ruin their own lives -- and those of their loved ones -- for the sake of their gambling addictions or jobs.
  • Violence:

    Several characters are killed: One is shot multiple times in the chest, one is poisoned, another is shot in the head. Clyde is savagely beaten by bookies and their henchmen. Murph spars in the boxing ring.
  • Sex:

    A few kisses, plus one discreet love scene in which a wife says she's going to pay a visit to her husband's "little friend" before her head disappears below the screen. A very sexualized 13-year-old discusses sex and gets a nipple ring to please a boyfriend.
  • Language:

    Double-digit uses of "f--k" (including one with "mother"). Aside from that, all the usual suspects: "s--t," "bulls--t," "ass," "a--hole."
  • Consumerism:

    Starbucks, Dell and Apple computers.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Casino, bar, and restaurant scenes feature patrons drinking beer, wine, and/or cocktails.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Even Money

Parents need to know that this crime drama revolves around gambling -- those addicted to it, those who enable it, and those who profit from it. The characters lie or act desperately for the sake of a big score or making good on a bad debt. Unpaid bookies and their goons beat men up and even have them killed. There are several violent scenes, especially in the last half hour; characters are shot, poisoned, and more. Plenty of swearing (particularly "f--k") and drinking, and some sex (nothing too graphic, though a sexualized 13-year-old character gets a nipple ring). On the one plus side, the film makes gambling addiction look every bit as serious as drug or alcohol addiction.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the consequences of addiction. Do you consider gambling to be as serious an addiction as one to drugs or alcohol? Why or why not? In most movies, gambling is depicted as glamorous and fun; how is it portrayed here? Which do you think is more realistic?

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