Just Friends (PG-13)

Obnoxious rom-com about ex-high school friends.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
1
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: New Line Cinema, New Line Cinema
  • Directed By: Roger Kumble
  • Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris, Amy Smart
  • Running Time: 96 minutes
  • Release Date: 11/23/2005
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 03/07/2006
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: sexual content including some dialogue.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie pushes the limits of PG-13. It's crude and there are frequent sexual allusions (to masturbation, genitals, and other sexual activities). It moves beyond satire to vulgar cruelty as it lampoons women, homosexuals, and just about everyone else. Characters smoke cigarettes and drink; one character appears "high" after she taking Vicodin. An Ashlee-Simpson-styled pop singer wears revealing clothing (tight and midriff-revealing tops) and attempts to seduce a high school student. The film includes frequent "New Jersey" jokes along with a bit of mild cursing (including half an f-word.

Families can talk about Chris's efforts to overcome his high school reputation and the shame he felt when kids teased him. How does his younger, sweet, overweight self contrast with his 10-years-later "playboy" self? How does his relationship with genuine nice girl Jamie contrast with his distaste for self-involved Samantha?

Message

Social Behavior:

Rude and competitive boys compete over nice girl.

Consumerism:

Christmas holiday overkill (especially lights on houses and shops).

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Drinking and drunkenness, cigarette smoking.

Violence

Comedic, slapstick violence (one neighborhood hockey scene is especially brutal); brothers tussle and punch one another; romantic rivals fight.

Sex

Frequent sexual jokes, slang, imagery; one girl is especially promiscuous.

Language

One aborted f-word; frequent other mild cursing.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cynthia Fuchs

JUST FRIENDS begins at high school graduation when overweight Chris (Ryan Reynolds) tells his friend Jamie (Amy Smart) that he wants to be "more than friends." But this isn’t in the cards. Ten years later, Chris is a thin, successful L.A. music industry executive and callow ladies man. At Christmas time, he's transporting singer Samantha (Anna Faris), who wants to hook up with Chris, to Europe. When the plane is detained in New Jersey, Chris discovers Jamie working at a local bar, whereupon he decides that he'll "get even," by seducing and abandoning her. This leads to several awkward situations and physical humor. Soon, Chris realizes that he really does love her, and so endeavors to impress her in earnest. At this point, old rival for Jamie's affection shows up -- former stutterer Dusty Dinkleman (Chris Klein), who is now dashing and utterly devious.

Is it any good?

1
Perhaps the only nice thing that can be said about this boisterous romantic comedy, is that it isn't quite as desperately rude as Ryan Reynolds' other recent film, Waiting. But it pushes the PG-13 rating with vulgar language and situations.

Faris again demonstrates that she is fearless when it comes to physical stunts and comedic emotional excesses, making you wish that she might find a role that would allow her to stretch in other directions. Unfortunately, Samantha is Just Friends's primary butt of uninspired sexual titillation jokes, which leaves Jamie as the banal "good girl." Add to this line-up Chris's clueless mom, and the women in this movie are mostly props for the boys' violent humor and self-absorption.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 11 reviews.

5


Posted on 10/25/07 by BabyShark Kid contributor, age 12

Hilarious!

Great movie for anybody over age 10 or 11. Some sexual parts, especially with Samantha. When they are in the recording studio she's like pullip off his pants. But nothing really further than that. Its really funny, and the first time I watched it I was laughing. Ive watched it about 3 times. The 3rd time, I watched it with like 4 of my cousins (ages 11, 13, 15, and 20) and my Dad and sister (my sis is 15) and we were all laughing the entire time. And if you dont have a sense of humor, skip the movie. If you do, then you'll probably like it.
3


Posted on 04/06/07 by bettydancer1995 Kid contributor, age 11

5


Posted on 11/24/06 by savannahzz4 Kid contributor, age 13

its halarious

okay i dont know why you guys are flipping out this movie isnt that bad. Compared to other stuff out there now a days, this is like rated G(okay pg). The funniest part was whaen chris does that singing thing to i swear at the very end with the over dramatic facial expressions and hand gestures. Also his relationship with his brother is funny, when they do that thing with the christmas cookies, and then say i love you, is funny. Also when samantha comes to the light show at jamies and mike says"the jig is up run!!" and then says"cat fight" is really funny I think this movie is awesome it has some iffy parts but its alright for kids, it just depends on their maturaty level. I loved it 10STARS(okay 5)
4

Posted on 08/21/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

REALLY FUNNY

This movie is relly funny and isn`t that iniprpriate. It`s good for kids 11+. My favorite part is when the lights from the house falls off. It is hilarious! Anna Faris is awesome!
4


Posted on 05/07/06 by ScaryMovie4kid Kid contributor, age 11

Ha Ha!

I thought it could've been better but giving it only one star was a little harsh CS.com I didn't think it was that bad! The pop chick Anna Faris played I'll admit was a little out of line but you could at least give it three stars!
Age 13+
1


Posted on 03/21/06 by bethlthomson Adult contributor

this moving is soo good i rent this the other its great & Funny.
4

Posted on 03/19/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

Cool

I thought the movie was really funny but not appropiate for my age!!! The love sick artist was really disguisting
4


Posted on 03/17/06 by ILuVCaNdY120 Kid contributor, age 10

Funny!

I'm 10, and i, for one, think this movie is hilarious! Buuuut...Although hilarious, It can get a bit awkward. For example, this one girl Samantha is well...Um...overly-flirtatious. Let's keep it at that. Still, I would recommend this movie for people who have a sense of humor. if you dont, then this movie is not for you.
Age 13+
2


Posted on 01/05/06 by yayfrogs Adult contributor

Funny but a bit long

I've seen this movie twice, and I laughed harder the second time. It's a funny, pointless film that completely exploits stereotypical romantic comedies. I wouldn't take a kid to see it, though. Much of the movie is easily mimicked by kids, including some of the music. Finally, it's too long. They could have edited out about 20 minutes and it would have been much better.
Age 17+
1


Posted on 12/02/05 by tinabheart Adult contributor

It could have been good...

This movie could have been really good if it weren't for the over the top character who played the singing star disaster. She 'stole' the show for sure, but in my opinion, ruined the whole movie. Otherwise, the story was great.

See all 11 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

Age 13+
1


Posted on 03/21/06 by bethlthomson Adult contributor

this moving is soo good i rent this the other its great & Funny.
Age 13+
2


Posted on 01/05/06 by yayfrogs Adult contributor

Funny but a bit long

I've seen this movie twice, and I laughed harder the second time. It's a funny, pointless film that completely exploits stereotypical romantic comedies. I wouldn't take a kid to see it, though. Much of the movie is easily mimicked by kids, including some of the music. Finally, it's too long. They could have edited out about 20 minutes and it would have been much better.
Age 17+
1


Posted on 12/02/05 by tinabheart Adult contributor

It could have been good...

This movie could have been really good if it weren't for the over the top character who played the singing star disaster. She 'stole' the show for sure, but in my opinion, ruined the whole movie. Otherwise, the story was great.
Age 17+
3


Posted on 11/29/05 by KGuarino Adult contributor

I laughed

I thought the movie was pretty funny. There were some parts that I think were not meant for kids, but for anyone 17 and up, and mature, it was pretty funny.

Kids Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 10/25/07 by BabyShark Kid contributor, age 12

Hilarious!

Great movie for anybody over age 10 or 11. Some sexual parts, especially with Samantha. When they are in the recording studio she's like pullip off his pants. But nothing really further than that. Its really funny, and the first time I watched it I was laughing. Ive watched it about 3 times. The 3rd time, I watched it with like 4 of my cousins (ages 11, 13, 15, and 20) and my Dad and sister (my sis is 15) and we were all laughing the entire time. And if you dont have a sense of humor, skip the movie. If you do, then you'll probably like it.
3


Posted on 04/06/07 by bettydancer1995 Kid contributor, age 11

5


Posted on 11/24/06 by savannahzz4 Kid contributor, age 13

its halarious

okay i dont know why you guys are flipping out this movie isnt that bad. Compared to other stuff out there now a days, this is like rated G(okay pg). The funniest part was whaen chris does that singing thing to i swear at the very end with the over dramatic facial expressions and hand gestures. Also his relationship with his brother is funny, when they do that thing with the christmas cookies, and then say i love you, is funny. Also when samantha comes to the light show at jamies and mike says"the jig is up run!!" and then says"cat fight" is really funny I think this movie is awesome it has some iffy parts but its alright for kids, it just depends on their maturaty level. I loved it 10STARS(okay 5)
4

Posted on 08/21/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

REALLY FUNNY

This movie is relly funny and isn`t that iniprpriate. It`s good for kids 11+. My favorite part is when the lights from the house falls off. It is hilarious! Anna Faris is awesome!
4


Posted on 05/07/06 by ScaryMovie4kid Kid contributor, age 11

Ha Ha!

I thought it could've been better but giving it only one star was a little harsh CS.com I didn't think it was that bad! The pop chick Anna Faris played I'll admit was a little out of line but you could at least give it three stars!
4

Posted on 03/19/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

Cool

I thought the movie was really funny but not appropiate for my age!!! The love sick artist was really disguisting
4


Posted on 03/17/06 by ILuVCaNdY120 Kid contributor, age 10

Funny!

I'm 10, and i, for one, think this movie is hilarious! Buuuut...Although hilarious, It can get a bit awkward. For example, this one girl Samantha is well...Um...overly-flirtatious. Let's keep it at that. Still, I would recommend this movie for people who have a sense of humor. if you dont, then this movie is not for you.
See all 7 kids reviews >
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