Liar Liar (PG-13)

Carrey's mugging glosses over some tough issues.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Studios
  • Directed By: Tom Shadyac
  • Cast: Jim Carrey, Justin Cooper
  • Running Time: 97 minutes
  • Release Date: 03/21/1997
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 12/31/1999
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: strong language and sexual situations

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film contains strong language and a scene in which a character beats himself up very badly. There is also a seduction scene, though without any nudity or actual sex.

Families can talk about lying and how it affects people. When Fletcher was telling lies he got into a certain kind of trouble, but when he had to tell the truth, he found trouble of a different sort. Is it ever okay to lie?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

A character beats himself up quite violently.

Sex

A seduction scene, though without any nudity or actual sex. A sexual joke or two.

Language

Some strong language.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sarah Wenk

Jim Carrey is a funny guy, and in LIAR LIAR he gives a funny performance as Fletcher Reede, a lawyer who gets through life by telling many lies. Some of them are little white lies, like complimenting his not-so-attractive coworkers on their appearance. Some are bigger, like getting his petty criminal clients out of trouble. But the worst lies he tells are to his son Max, who he's neglecting for work. Max's birthday wish is that his father will be rendered incapable of lying for one day, and the wish comes true. Fletcher is completely unable to lie, throwing his professional and personal lives into utter chaos.

Is it any good?

2
The moral is pretty easy to grasp -- it's better to tell the truth than to lie. But in the rush to get to the happy ending, the film avoids the more complex issues involved. For example, when Fletcher tells his coworkers what he really thinks of them, he insults and hurts them, and his adoring secretary walks out on him (though later she walks back -- this is a comedy, after all). But that gets swept aside as Fletcher tries to stop his ex-wife from moving to Boston with her new boyfriend and Max.

In fact, the whole premise boils down to Fletcher telling Max he loves him, something we've never really doubted. Basically, this is a vehicle for Carrey, and he runs with it, doing his usual impressive rubber-bodied antics and clearly improvising quite a bit of the comedy. It's entertaining but ultimately rather hollow.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 9 reviews.

Age 12+
3


Posted on 11/09/08 by marvistamom Adult contributor

Yellow Light for Sure

I remember seeing it BC with my husband (Before Children) and thought it was hilarious. What I didn't remember was the liberal dose of profanity and running stream of sexual references. I wish I had read the common sense media review, before renting it. Are my kids worse off for seeing it? No. Did they laugh? Yes. I recommend you proceed with caution...
4


Posted on 07/16/08 by TVDude250 Kid contributor, age 11

This was really funny.

I say it is a great movie for family. Just one small bad scene where a couple are having sex on a tape. Other than that, It was a great movie. 4 Stars.
5


Posted on 09/10/07 by yugiohsux Kid contributor, age 13

It's really not that bad

it's good for ages 10 and up in my opinion. but of course, my opinion is not everybody's.
5


Posted on 06/19/07 by book_lover411 Kid contributor, age 11

A GOOD BUT NOT APPROAITE

the above read it
5

Posted on 06/18/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

fun movie!

This is such a good movie! the recording in the courtroom is the kind of thing you may what to cover little kids ears for, but other than that there is really nothing too bad. Good for 11+!
Age 2+
5


Posted on 03/01/07 by Cassus_Fett Adult contributor

2

Posted on 08/12/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

NO

Horrible for kids, and Im a kid. You dont here this stuff from kids very often. DO NOT let your kids see this movie. There is LOTS of Sexual Content and bad launguage. Of course this is my oppinion.
4


Posted on 04/21/06 by G Kid contributor, age 12

FUNNY MOVIE!

Age 17+
0


Posted on 11/14/05 by tommysportsgirl Adult contributor

Skip it

There are better things to do with your time- like reading a book!

See all 9 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

Age 12+
3


Posted on 11/09/08 by marvistamom Adult contributor

Yellow Light for Sure

I remember seeing it BC with my husband (Before Children) and thought it was hilarious. What I didn't remember was the liberal dose of profanity and running stream of sexual references. I wish I had read the common sense media review, before renting it. Are my kids worse off for seeing it? No. Did they laugh? Yes. I recommend you proceed with caution...
Age 2+
5


Posted on 03/01/07 by Cassus_Fett Adult contributor

Age 17+
0


Posted on 11/14/05 by tommysportsgirl Adult contributor

Skip it

There are better things to do with your time- like reading a book!

Kids Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/16/08 by TVDude250 Kid contributor, age 11

This was really funny.

I say it is a great movie for family. Just one small bad scene where a couple are having sex on a tape. Other than that, It was a great movie. 4 Stars.
5


Posted on 09/10/07 by yugiohsux Kid contributor, age 13

It's really not that bad

it's good for ages 10 and up in my opinion. but of course, my opinion is not everybody's.
5


Posted on 06/19/07 by book_lover411 Kid contributor, age 11

A GOOD BUT NOT APPROAITE

the above read it
5

Posted on 06/18/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

fun movie!

This is such a good movie! the recording in the courtroom is the kind of thing you may what to cover little kids ears for, but other than that there is really nothing too bad. Good for 11+!
2

Posted on 08/12/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

NO

Horrible for kids, and Im a kid. You dont here this stuff from kids very often. DO NOT let your kids see this movie. There is LOTS of Sexual Content and bad launguage. Of course this is my oppinion.
4


Posted on 04/21/06 by G Kid contributor, age 12

FUNNY MOVIE!

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