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Introducing the Dwights

(2007, Rated R, Drama, Starring Brenda Blethyn, Khan Chittenden, Emma Booth)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Uneven dysfunctional family dramedy for adults.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–17

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The family at the heart of the movie is quite dysfunctional: The mother relies too much on her sons, and she also browbeats them and sometimes belittles them (especially when she's upset or drinking). Children lie to their parents to avoid upsetting them; a couple argues about sex (and has lots of it), and the girlfriend routinely tosses out offhand remarks about her body and what she doesn't like about it. On the other hand, the mother clearly cares about her children, too. And though she hits some deep lows, in the end, the family bands together and sins are forgiven -- which seems quite idealistic.

  • Violence:

    Jean melts down, throwing liquor bottles and other objects at people and walls. A truck gets into an accident, nearly hitting a key character. Tim fights loudly with his girlfriend.

  • Sex:

    Plentiful, and plenty explicit. Everything from a couple kissing deeply in a car to scenes in which they're shown naked (breasts are bared, but no genitalia), astride each other or simulating oral sex. Bare breasts are flashed within the first 10 minutes of the movie.

  • Language:

    "F--k" is used liberally, as are "s--t," "asshole," "bitch," and other expletives.

  • Consumerism:

    One character works at a Midas garage, and the company logo is clearly visible on her uniform. Another is proud of his "Merc" (aka Mercedes Benz). There's also a fair amount of name-dropping, especially of big-name comedians and the clubs where they performed.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    In times of both joy and sorrow, the main characters reach for the bottle (and discuss having drunk too much). Afterward, they stagger around, sleep with one another, or fall into deep depressions. Some smoking in clubs.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Introducing the Dwights

Parents need to know that although this Australian film is positioned as a quirky family comedy, it's actually quite dark. The main character is a comedienne who's trying to make a last run for stardom just as her sons become more independent, which leaves her feeling abandoned and threatened. A couple's frequent sex scenes are often fairly graphic (bare breasts, but no genitals), as is the language ("f--k," "s--t," and more). Characters drink freely, and their drinking leads to behavior they later regret (for example, a mother threatens to abandon her children and orders them out of her house).

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it's like to have a family member who's physically or mentally disabled. What kind of responsibilities and pressures does that add to the family dynamic? How do the Dwights rise to the occasion (or not)? How often do you see families like the Dwights on TV or in the movies? Also, what about Tim and Jill's relationship? Although it appears to revolve mostly around sex, it also seems quite loving, too -- is that realistic? Does it seem like they're rushing things?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    great152ball
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    nope for a pg13,yes for a R.

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    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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