Material Girls (PG)

A brain-numbing, fluffy flick for tweens.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Metro-goldwyn-mayer Pictures, Metro-goldwyn-mayer Pictures
  • Directed By: Martha Coolidge
  • Cast: Anjelica Huston, Brent Spiner, Hilary Duff, Lukas Haas, Haylie Duff
  • Running Time: 95 minutes
  • Release Date: 08/18/2006
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 12/12/2006
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: language and rude humor

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie makes some weird editorial choices, such as having one of the lead characters dress like a prostitute to get information, which lands her in jail with real prostitutes. There's brief drinking, smoking, and plenty of bad attitudes. Some profanity (s--t). There's lots of products advertised in the movie, not to mention that Hilary Duff's new perfume is handed out in a scratch-and-sniff card with the movie tickets. The sisters' father dies, and their mother abandons them to move to Europe with an Egyptian prince (although we don't see this). The sisters' maid fills in as their "mom."

Families can talk about this movie's themes: growing up, taking responsibility, and dealing with loss. The sisters also have to learn how to ask for help, rather than expecting everything to fall in their laps. How do you handle it when your world falls apart? Also, is it more important to have "things" or family and friends who love you? What are some of the signs to look for when you're not sure someone is acting in your best interest?

Message

Social Behavior:

Mixed: placing value on "things," lying, breaking and entering, realizing true friends, learning the value of hard work.

Consumerism:

Mercedes Benz, Dominos Pizza, Pepsi, Rolodex, Chanel and other fashions. Hilary Duff's new perfume is handed out in a scratch-and-sniff card with the movie tickets.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Ava lights a cigarette and starts their house on fire; various characters smoke and drink; a reference to prescription drugs.

Violence

The sisters' house is pelted with fruit and eggs after a scandal; they're chased by guard dogs; a corporate exec is smacked on the head with a notebook.

Sex

Tanzie dresses like a prostitute to get information; the girls dress in tight skirts and low-cut tops; flirting and kissing; provocative foot massages; on a TV soap opera, a character refers to "sleeping with your father" and taking 3 months of birth control pills to commit suicide.

Language

"S--t happens," "pee," "screw," "bite me", etc.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jane Boursaw

"Celebutante" sisters Tanzie and Ava (Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff) spend their days shopping and their nights clubbing. Their dad was the late, great founder of the famous Marchetta Cosmetics Company. Despite being spoiled, they still miss their father. Now, they’re the face of the Marchetta Cosmetics Company. One day, Tanzie and Ava attend a meeting to determine which non-profit organization will receive a donation from the charitable foundation bearing their father's name. Meanwhile, Marchetta bigwig Tommy (Brent Spiner) is scheming to force the sisters to sell the company to a rival company owned by Fabiella (Anjelica Huston). When news comes out that Marchetta cosmetics have been causing horrible skin problems for people, it's a huge scandal. The girls end up losing everything and are forced to -- gasp! -- get a job and take public transportation. Will they survive the scandal and bring honor to their father's name again? They're helped along by maid Inez (Maria Conchita Alonso) and cute lab technician Rick (Marcus Coloma).

Is it any good?

2
From girl-power director Martha Coolidge (The Prince and Me) and the Material Girl herself (Madonna) comes this fluffy teen comedy.

Unfortunately, the storyline, dialogue, and characters are brain-numbing. What were they thinking?! Even the music is lame, which is surprising considering the movie was produced by Madonna's Maverick Films. And between her role in Daddy Day Care and this movie, you have to wonder what Anjelica Huston was thinking. In short, skip it.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 18 reviews.

2


Posted on 04/26/08 by pinerivergirl Adult contributor

not for 8 year olds

It is a message about commercialism and social status that could have emphasized more about the girls and their strengths. All I'm left with is a sense of 2 rich girls who thru a series of mishaps, make it back after experiencing a couple of hardships. Being poor to them was more about inconvenience. Also, inappropriate "shit happens".
4


Posted on 11/16/07 by Cinematic Blues Kid contributor, age 13

Not Hilary's Best But......

Material Girls is a cute movie. I couldn't necessarily say this would be an Academy Award winner, but it is enjoyable to watch and there really isn't anthing inappropriate about it. 4 out of 5 stars.
0


Posted on 10/29/07 by DexterSmith Adult contributor

Material Girls

Sexual Content (Pause): Tanzie dresses like a prostitute. Violence (Not an Issue): None. Language (Pause): Two uses of sh*t. Social Behavior (Pause): Tanzie and Ava learn the values of hard work, but the film is littered with plenty of bad messages. Commercialism (Pause): Material wealth is celebrated. Mercedes Benz, Domino's, Pepsi, Rolodex, Chanel, etc. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Pause): Various characters smoke and drink, reference to prescription drugs.
2


Posted on 08/09/07 by bookworm112 Kid contributor, age 11

Materialistic and dumb

From the moment this movie kicks off with Madonna's hit song "Material Girls"(this time sung by Hilary and Haylie Duff), you know you're in for a long two hours. You can tell almost immediately that these two girls are poor actresses (as well as singers) and have a very big interest in fashion and material items to go along with it. The plot is a bit interesting at first, but the writers of the movie dragged it so far beyond the end line that you want to just get out of your seat and leave on the spot. Along the way, you find it annoying that all the girls can think about is holding on to their rich lives when they're dead broke and don't have place of their own to live (they're living off thier too generous house keeper-who quit after they lost all thier money-and not giving her so much as a thank you). You also see them talking on their cell phones through most of the movie. Hmmm...funny how they can't afford food but they can afford a $200 cell phone bill. Looks like someone needs to get their priorities in order. This movie has very bad messages for girls (if the title didn't present a bad enough one by itself). In the end, they get back their glamorous life style but they're both "changed people" and have learned to appreciate thier money now that they've seen how the other half lives. Someone in Hollywood, please come up with some new plot material.
3

Posted on 05/20/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor
2

Posted on 05/16/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

HIlary Duff's Worst

This movie was pathetically thrown together. It didn't make any sense and had a really bad plot. I think Hilary Duff has lost all respect for a actress.
2


Posted on 04/28/07 by NakedBrothersBand212 Kid contributor, age 11

This movie IS NOT for tweens, it's for adults... I kid you not!

I once was dragged to a theatre to see this. Would've rather saw a horror movie, but it was a birthday party so you get the idea. These girls dress like they're at a nightclub rather than at work. I don't find them good rolemodels-- they're not strong individuals (they're 'material girls' as the title explains) and they're rude. At the end, Ava lights a house on fire. I cannot remember exactly why, but lots of (dumb) girls admire Hilary Duff and think everything she does is perfect, so I guess firefighters had better be prepared for a tough year. I added two stars to what would've been a zero star review because it was a short, short movie and for a few minutes the plot entertained me-- yeah, that didn't last for long!!! If you want a real movie, watch The Naked Brothers Band. You'll thank me for that.
3

Posted on 02/25/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Only good for girls up to age of 15.

Not so interesting for adults. Very girlish and annoing. I think that the title "Brain Numbing" is really true.
5


Posted on 01/12/07 by H&H Kid contributor, age 14
2

Posted on 12/28/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

See all 18 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 9 reviews.

2


Posted on 04/26/08 by pinerivergirl Adult contributor

not for 8 year olds

It is a message about commercialism and social status that could have emphasized more about the girls and their strengths. All I'm left with is a sense of 2 rich girls who thru a series of mishaps, make it back after experiencing a couple of hardships. Being poor to them was more about inconvenience. Also, inappropriate "shit happens".
0


Posted on 10/29/07 by DexterSmith Adult contributor

Material Girls

Sexual Content (Pause): Tanzie dresses like a prostitute. Violence (Not an Issue): None. Language (Pause): Two uses of sh*t. Social Behavior (Pause): Tanzie and Ava learn the values of hard work, but the film is littered with plenty of bad messages. Commercialism (Pause): Material wealth is celebrated. Mercedes Benz, Domino's, Pepsi, Rolodex, Chanel, etc. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Pause): Various characters smoke and drink, reference to prescription drugs.
3

Posted on 05/20/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor
3

Posted on 02/25/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Only good for girls up to age of 15.

Not so interesting for adults. Very girlish and annoing. I think that the title "Brain Numbing" is really true.
2

Posted on 12/28/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor
5


Posted on 12/12/06 by Alis20 Adult contributor
4


Posted on 10/09/06 by sugershoes95 Adult contributor

An idea movie for tweens and teens

I think this is a idea movie for tweens (10-12) and teens (all ages). This is NOT a movie for children under 10. The movie has innappropite content in it that would not be suitable for children under these ages.
3


Posted on 09/02/06 by thechlik Adult contributor

I laughed

I took my 12 and 11 year old to see it and we all enjoyed it. We all laughed out loud many times . We liked the message money cant't buy happiness, and you need to know what is going on in your life.Great movie I would see it again.
0


Posted on 08/24/06 by beyrer Adult contributor
See all 9 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 9 reviews.

4


Posted on 11/16/07 by Cinematic Blues Kid contributor, age 13

Not Hilary's Best But......

Material Girls is a cute movie. I couldn't necessarily say this would be an Academy Award winner, but it is enjoyable to watch and there really isn't anthing inappropriate about it. 4 out of 5 stars.
2


Posted on 08/09/07 by bookworm112 Kid contributor, age 11

Materialistic and dumb

From the moment this movie kicks off with Madonna's hit song "Material Girls"(this time sung by Hilary and Haylie Duff), you know you're in for a long two hours. You can tell almost immediately that these two girls are poor actresses (as well as singers) and have a very big interest in fashion and material items to go along with it. The plot is a bit interesting at first, but the writers of the movie dragged it so far beyond the end line that you want to just get out of your seat and leave on the spot. Along the way, you find it annoying that all the girls can think about is holding on to their rich lives when they're dead broke and don't have place of their own to live (they're living off thier too generous house keeper-who quit after they lost all thier money-and not giving her so much as a thank you). You also see them talking on their cell phones through most of the movie. Hmmm...funny how they can't afford food but they can afford a $200 cell phone bill. Looks like someone needs to get their priorities in order. This movie has very bad messages for girls (if the title didn't present a bad enough one by itself). In the end, they get back their glamorous life style but they're both "changed people" and have learned to appreciate thier money now that they've seen how the other half lives. Someone in Hollywood, please come up with some new plot material.
2

Posted on 05/16/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

HIlary Duff's Worst

This movie was pathetically thrown together. It didn't make any sense and had a really bad plot. I think Hilary Duff has lost all respect for a actress.
2


Posted on 04/28/07 by NakedBrothersBand212 Kid contributor, age 11

This movie IS NOT for tweens, it's for adults... I kid you not!

I once was dragged to a theatre to see this. Would've rather saw a horror movie, but it was a birthday party so you get the idea. These girls dress like they're at a nightclub rather than at work. I don't find them good rolemodels-- they're not strong individuals (they're 'material girls' as the title explains) and they're rude. At the end, Ava lights a house on fire. I cannot remember exactly why, but lots of (dumb) girls admire Hilary Duff and think everything she does is perfect, so I guess firefighters had better be prepared for a tough year. I added two stars to what would've been a zero star review because it was a short, short movie and for a few minutes the plot entertained me-- yeah, that didn't last for long!!! If you want a real movie, watch The Naked Brothers Band. You'll thank me for that.
5


Posted on 01/12/07 by H&H Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 10/17/06 by my2dogz25 Kid contributor, age 10
5


Posted on 09/29/06 by 7th_heaven_fan Kid contributor, age 13
4


Posted on 09/03/06 by QTSftbchick Kid contributor, age 13
2


Posted on 08/24/06 by karabeth13 Kid contributor, age 13

It was a geat movie but I would not say it my faviort movie. It was ok but I sill like it. It was fine. It not the moive I was hoping to see but I sill like. It was fine. It was not my faviort movie I would stay. It was ok. I have to give to a 8 because it had bad stuff like smoing and bad woud. I sold it with my mom and she din't like it as much. It was diffent but I will say it was ok and fine
See all 9 kids reviews >
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