Good Luck Chuck - R

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Not funny or romantic; too raunchy for all ages.

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Rating: R for sequences of strong sexual content including crude dialogue, nudity, language and some drug use. Studio: Lions Gate Entertainment Directed By: Mark Helfrich Cast: Jessica Alba, Dane Cook, Dan Fogler Running Time: 96 minutes Release Date: 09/20/2007 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that since this movie imitates the raunchy comedy style of The Wedding Crashers and Judd Apatow movies, it might appeal to older teens who are fans of "hard R" comedies. But this one doesn't have its predecessors' charm, and even though "only" one character smokes pot, nudity and sex (both as a subject of conversation and the act itself) are ubiquitous, and in some cases downright disgusting. Women are discussed as if they were walking genitalia, obese women are the target of ridicule, and even 10-year-olds are depicted as sex fiends who want to actually "do it" during a game of "7 Minutes in Heaven." Plus, the idea that women are so desperate to get married that they'd sleep with a stranger is demeaning and sexist.

Families can talk about the "raunchy comedy" trend. Why are sex- and swearing-filled movies so popular? Is this movie as successful as its hard-R predecessors, or does it fall flat? Why? Parents, ask your kids what parts of the movie they found offensive. Why was that the case? Did any of it seem romantic? Why or why not? Families can also discuss whether the movie's central joke is sexist or funny. Do you think women would really line up to sleep with a stranger just so they can get married to the next man they meet?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen

Some comedies manage to balance raunch -- whether it's gratuitous language, sex, drug use, or some combination of the above -- with funny-yet-deeper themes about love (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), commitment (Knocked Up), or friendship (Superbad). But not all copycat comedies can effectively pull off the Judd Apatow formula for filmmaking. And in that case, what the audience is left with, as is the case in GOOD LUCK CHUCK, is just a bunch of offensive sex jokes.

Dane Cook, who has somehow transformed from a slightly better-looking standup comedian into the go-to leading man for lowbrow romantic comedies, plays Chuck, a womanizing dentist who's dubbed a good luck charm by the string of married women who dated him right before meeting Mr. Right. With the coaxing of his sex obsessed pal (a cosmetic surgeon who naturally specializes in breast augmentation) Stu (Dan Fogler) and the willing participation of literally dozens of women, Chuck becomes every single girl's dream one-night stand.

The movie's "romantic" storyline is fueled by Jessica Alba as Cam, the one girl Chuck actually doesn't want to lose to the "next guy." But if he seals the deal with her, he's convinced that she'll move on and leave him broken-hearted. Thrown into their supposed chemistry is the fact that Cam -- the keeper of the penguin exhibit at a Sea World-like water park -- is a total klutz who keeps accidentally hurting herself and Chuck, who suffers mild stabbing, electrocution, and bonks on the head when he's around her.

It's all too precious and, frankly, rather unfathomable that Alba -- an actress so beautiful she's been called the sexiest woman in the world -- would have no better prospects than this cad of a dentist. (And those hoping to sneak a peek at Alba's killer bod should note that she's one of the only women in the film who doesn't bare her breasts, although topless women seem to pop up in every other frame of the film.)

Ultimately, if the prospect of seeing a woman with three breasts (Dr. Stu's dream girl) or of Cook being mounted by a morbidly obese woman or pretending to get nasty with a stuffed penguin appeals viewers, this movie will be a hit. Otherwise, this is a sad excuse for a romantic comedy.

Families who like Alba are better off checking out the The Fantastic Four movies and Never Been Kissed.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content There's barely a breast-free scene in the movie. Extensive montages of Chuck and dozens of topless women having sex in various positions. Only one love scene -- with Alba -- is nudity free. A disturbing image of a woman with three breasts. Chuck simulates oral sex on a stuffed penguin. A man pleasures himself with a grapefruit.
Violence Chuck pushes and shoves a man and suffers several mishaps, like getting dental instruments stuck into his back, getting electrocuted, having shards of glass fall into his lap, etc. Cam accidentally falls and hurts herself several times.
Language Many euphemisms for female genitalia and sex: "f--k," "p--y," "p--n," etc. Other curse words ("s--t," "ass," "a--hole," etc.) are said frequently but still less often than the sexual words.
Message
	Social Behavior Chuck takes advantage of women thinking he's a good-luck charm to sleep with as many of them as possible. Stu tries to pass himself off as Chuck so he can "score," too. The idea that women are so desperate to get married that they'd jump into bed with a man they don't even know is sexist and demeaning.
	Commercialism Hummer SUV; Pamela Anderson's breast implants.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Chuck gets incredibly drunk before one sexual encounter; wedding guests drink champagne; Cam's brother is supposedly always high and in one scene smokes marijuana.