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Mad Money

(2008, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Katie Holmes, Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Girls-gone-greedy comedy best for moms' night out.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Desperation fuels their initial theft, but after that, the women, particularly Bridget, become greedy for more and more cash.
  • Violence:

    Cops point their guns before arresting people.
  • Sex:

    A married couple kisses and discusses "doing it" in the car. The ladies tease Nina about not having sex for seven years, making jokes about how "sore" she'll be in the morning, how sex is like "riding a bicycle upside-down," etc. Nina and Barry make out in a closet. The three women strip to their undies to stuff their bras and panties with cash.
  • Language:

    Language includes "bitch," "ass," "damn," "hell," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Range Rover, Lexus, Mac laptops, CNBC's Mad Money With Jim Cramer, Master Lock, Boss Hoss motorcycle. One of the main characters is motivated to steal by a desire to lead a life of conspicuous consumption.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Champagne and wine at cocktail parties and dinner; the ladies have shots and beer at regular meetings in a bar; the two husbands enjoy a beer together.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Mad Money

Parents need to know that this movie from the director of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is aimed more at mothers than kids. But some teens, especially girls who are fans of Queen Latifah or the celebrity circus that surrounds Katie Holmes, might be interested in checking this heist chick flick out. If you're considering a mother-daughter matinee, know that the main characters become unrepentant robbers motivated at first by necessity and later by greed. There are several conversations about sex (or the lack thereof) and a few scenes of passionate kisses, as well as some language (including "bitch") and social drinking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's theme: that money can buy you happiness. What did it buy the main characters? Did any of them do something good with the money, or were they all equally greedy? According to the product placements seen in the film, what specifically does money buy you? Do you think the movie glamorizes criminal behavior?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Great for a girls' night in!

    If you're a parent reading this review trying to decide whether it is good for your teen, ask yourself this: Does my child know right from wrong? If the answer is no, then it's probably a good idea to watch the movie with them or don't let them watch it at all. The message isn't exactly positive. Yes, the movie shows the consequences of committing a federal crime, but in the end... well let's just say, I don't think they learn their lesson too well. Don't get me wrong though, the movie was very enjoyable. I always judge a film based on my reactions to whats going on while I'm watching it. If I cry, it's a good movie; if I get a reaction like embarassment or anger, then it's a good film because it gets you to FEEL something! This movie made me squirm in my seat, so see it! It may not be an academy award winning film, but heck, it's enjoyable! Great for a girls' night in!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Really good

    I thought that tis movie was realllly good. The only bad thing about this movie was that they were stealing all of the money from a bank. i would reccomend this movie to people 10 and up. there was not a lot of bad things in it and it was a really good movie.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Stupid

    I hated this movie it was just not good for kids my age I mean at 11 it is just not right

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This movie is really good! It is funny, and the end is really cool! I recomend this movie to anyone 10+!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    VERY DISAPPOINTED

    This movie was a huge letdown. The acting was so so and more importantly, the language and the message it send was troublesome to me. I watched it with out son and our store had it under PG , or I would not have rented it. I thought at first it would be a good movie to talk about what is really important in life and good choices,,at the end I was just a bit relieved that the characters seemed to realize that money was not what mattered, but people and honesty etc, Then the last two minutes blew it all to pieces. I actually voived to my son how disappointed I was that they were glorifing something wrong..period. It was a waste of time and I definitely would not see it with a young person struggling to make correct moral choices.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Pretty funny

    I enjoyed this movie. I watched it alone while dh was away with the kids on a camping trip. It was pretty funny. Not a super awesome movie, but worth a rent.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    It made me laugh!

    This move looked very funny from the begining! It is about a women becoming broke with hr husbend and gets a job cleaning at a government mint (where they print money). She ends up making friends that also handle the money and deside o take some of the money that was registered to be sheredded from old use. As they get more people into the plan theirplan becomes golden. This movie has a bad message but will give you a good laugh! I think it is fine for kids 13+

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    daddy long legs 11 yrs old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    this is pretey good its not bad at all so Id say it s find for anyone any age

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