Meet the Parents (PG-13)

Star-driven comedy at times offensive and funny.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: Jay Roach
  • Cast: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo
  • Release Date: 10/06/2000
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 12/14/2004
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: drug references, sexual references and situations, and language

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some strong language, especially in reference to Greg's unfortunate last name; drug use, plus cigarette smoking by the main character; a few sexual references and situations; and potty humor -- a septic tank backs up on the lawn, for starters. There's plenty of lying, spying, and sneaking around by the main characters that they eventually all need to own up to -- like when Greg loses the cat and tries to replace him with a lookalike from the local shelter.

Families can talk about the kind of laughs this comedy goes for. Is the humiliation of these characters funny? How does their dishonesty keep them from getting along? Why does Greg's stressed-out nature make him more susceptible to laughs at his expense? Does it bother you that Pam doesn't stand up to her father more? Is she contributing in some way to Greg's misery?

Message

Social Behavior:

Characters insensitive to feelings of Jewish man, also deride his masculinity for being a nurse. Greg tries to pass off shelter cat for family pet. Greg loses his cool on an airplane and gets removed. Lots of lying and sneaking around by Jack, who mistrusts everyone and spies on everyone.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

References to marijuana use, drinking, smoking. Greg smokes and tries to hide it.

Violence

Comic peril. A roof and gazebo catch on fire.

Sex

Some sexual references and non-graphic situations. Greg wears a very tight bathingsuit.

Language

Some strong language and plenty of mentions of "Focker," Greg's unfortunate last name.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

In MEET THE PARENTS, Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) loves Pam (Teri Polo) and wants to make a good impression on her father, Jack (Robert De Niro), who specializes in sweating the truth out of double agents in the CIA. Everything goes wrong. Jack's natural over-protectiveness meets with Greg's panicky clumsiness. The airline loses Greg's suitcase, so he has to borrow bizarre clothes -- enormous pants from Pam's brother, a tiny Speedo bathing suit from Pam's former fiancé. Greg is compared to Pam's sister's fiancé, a doctor, and to Pam's former boyfriend (Owen Wilson), now fabulously wealthy and still pining for her. Greg, who is Jewish, is asked to say grace at dinner, and can only helplessly babble the lyrics from Godspell. And, in the movie's high point, Greg has to cope with the only situation more grueling than a terrifying in-law: airline bureaucracy.

Is it any good?

3
Written by the screenwriter of the awful Meet the Deedles (who will we meet next? the Fockers, of course) and directed by the director of Austin Powers, Meet the Parents is a sub-category of comedy that can only be termed "comedies of excruciation," in which we laugh at the hideously humiliating experiences of some poor sap. If this is your kind of humor, then this is your kind of movie.

There are many jokes about Greg's name (Focker, get it?) and his occupation (nurse, which isn't manly, get it?). Jokes center on a catheter, a "Mountie strap-on dildo," a cat who uses the toilet, a cat strung out on nicotine gum, a fire, and an overflowing septic tank. The scene in which Greg battles the airline rules is worth at least three stars on its own. Depending on your sense of humor, it is either hilarious or agonizing or both.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

4


Posted on 11/07/08 by potatoes Kid contributor, age 13

SO FUNNY

luv it!!! really funny!!!
3


Posted on 01/26/08 by Alexishiva Kid contributor, age 14

Funny...

This movie was funny although not hilarious. I watched it with a female friend of mine which made it funner! SHe is very giggly. I suggest watching it with someone who likes to laugh. It is a good girls night out movie :) Overall I enjoyed it although it is not my Very favorite movie.
4


Posted on 10/08/07 by xToTheEndx Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 09/26/07 by LuvEwan4Ever! Kid contributor, age 15
4

Posted on 12/17/05 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
5

Posted on 04/24/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Meet The Parents

Meet the Parents is an overall okay movie The Only bad thing in it is 1 f-word and some sex paraphanalia
4


Posted on 01/13/04 by Forknose Kid contributor, age 15

Ben Stiller

Meet the Parents is very funny. The chemistry between Robert DiNero and Ben Stiller makes a hilarious movie.

See all 7 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5

Posted on 04/24/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Meet The Parents

Meet the Parents is an overall okay movie The Only bad thing in it is 1 f-word and some sex paraphanalia

Kids Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

4


Posted on 11/07/08 by potatoes Kid contributor, age 13

SO FUNNY

luv it!!! really funny!!!
3


Posted on 01/26/08 by Alexishiva Kid contributor, age 14

Funny...

This movie was funny although not hilarious. I watched it with a female friend of mine which made it funner! SHe is very giggly. I suggest watching it with someone who likes to laugh. It is a good girls night out movie :) Overall I enjoyed it although it is not my Very favorite movie.
4


Posted on 10/08/07 by xToTheEndx Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 09/26/07 by LuvEwan4Ever! Kid contributor, age 15
4

Posted on 12/17/05 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
4


Posted on 01/13/04 by Forknose Kid contributor, age 15

Ben Stiller

Meet the Parents is very funny. The chemistry between Robert DiNero and Ben Stiller makes a hilarious movie.
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