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Finding Amanda

(2008, Rated R, Drama, Starring Matthew Broderick, Maura Tierney, Brittany Snow)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mature, uneven prostitution dramedy loses its way.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A young prostitute appears untroubled by her profession, except when a client insults her to her face. Even then, she appears to recover quickly; in the end, there doesn't seem to have been much of a change in her thinking, except perhaps about relationships. A man constantly lies to his wife and to himself about his addictions and appears to have little remorse about it, except for when he seems on the verge of losing everything. Men hurt women both physically and emotionally; women deceive and accept all forms of abuse; people take drugs, drink too much, and gamble away their lives. Some of this is played for comedy (laughing yet?).
  • Violence:

    A woman attacks a man after he spits on her face and insults her; a man threatens the lead character after he's caught cheating; a pimp bloodies a man's nose and later breaks his by smashing a Dumpster lid on it. A man roughs up his girlfriend. A father allows his two young sons to play with guns; the only admonition is to aim below the waist.
  • Sex:

    Bare breasts in a strip club. Some sex acts are implied, as when a woman is shown performing oral sex on a man (no genitals shown) while people casually hang out and conduct a drug deal. A lead character is a prostitute and talks candidly about what she does "at work." Pretty explicit descriptions of sex acts and references to body parts, as well as to infidelity.
  • Language:

    Everything you can think of, all used early and often: "crap," "s--t," "f--k," "c--t," "dick," and more -- sometimes in front of children.
  • Consumerism:

    Vegas signage; constant mention of Taylor's TV sitcom.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A lead character relapses into previous drinking and drugging ways (Ecstasy is identified, as well as weed); dealers sell their wares; Vegas casinos ply visitors with drinks so they'll gamble more, and visitors are happy to imbibe, even if some of them are supposed to be on the wagon.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Finding Amanda

Parents need to know that teens probably won't be clamoring to see this mature dramedy. Which is just as well, since it attempts to put a light sheen on serious topics like prostitution but ultimately comes across as somewhat dismissive. There's a fair amount of swearing -- within the first 15 minutes alone, a panoply of cuss words (including "f--k") lets fly -- and a whole host of vices, from gambling to drinking and drug use. There's also some partial nudity (breasts) and implied sex. And even though he's lying through his teeth almost every time he opens his mouth, the lead character doesn't seem to feel much remorse about it.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media usually portrays prostitution. Do you think these depictions are realistic? Why would filmmakers want to glamorize (or even just soften) "the world's oldest profession"? Also, is it OK to mine topics like addiction and lying for laughs? Why or why not? And why do you think Taylor volunteered to go to Vegas when he's a gambling addict (and an alcoholic to boot)? Was it all a lie, or did he have every intention of helping out?

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