New York Minute (PG)

Not great, but Olsen twin fans won't care.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Warner Bros., Warner Bros.
  • Directed By: Dennie Gordon
  • Cast: Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen
  • Running Time: 91 minutes
  • Release Date: 05/07/2004
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 08/17/2004
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: mild sensuality and thematic elements

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is some very mild language (a post-it saying "remove stick from butt" is about as rough as it gets) and violence. There is some booty-shaking, implied comic nudity, and skimpy clothing, but when the girls have to run around the city wearing a robe and a towel both are no-nonsense cover-ups. There are a couple of kisses and one of the girls has a boy fall on top of her. There is also some crude potty humor. Parents will be more concerned about the behavior in the movie, including lying, cutting school, cheating, stealing, forgery, reckless driving without a license, and accepting a ride from a stranger, all with very little by way of consequences. Audience members may also find the portrayal of minority characters to be uncomfortably stereotyped. The African-American characters are kind, wise, and generous but they express themselves in a manner that is exaggerated and caricature-ish even beyond what is allowable for a comedy. The villain is a Dragon Lady right out of the old "Terry and the Pirates" comic strip, and Andy Richter's henchman who thinks he's Chinese so speaks in pidgin English is just awful.

Families can talk about Shirl's comment that "It's the curveballs that make life interesting -- shows us what we're made of. And if we're lucky sometimes there's a miracle at the end of that wrong turn." How did the loss of the girls' mother make it harder for them to be close to each other? What was the most important thing that Jane and Roxy learned from each other? When do you have an opportunity to help someone the way that Trey, James, Shirl, and Mr. McGill help Jane and Roxy?

Message

Social Behavior:

Lying, cutting school, cheating, stealing, forgery, reckless driving without a license, and accepting a ride from a stranger, all with very little by way of consequences. Some stereotyping.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Comic peril, no one hurt.

Sex

A couple of kisses, implied comic nudity.

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

In NEW YORK MINUTE, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson play estranged twin sisters who barely speak to each other anymore. When they both have to be in New York City for crucially important and life-changing events and everything goes wrong, they end up spending an adventure and romance-filled day together. Jane (Ashley) is the super-organized super-achiever who is on her way to New York to deliver a speech in a competition for a scholarship to Oxford University. Roxy (Mary-Kate) is the free spirit and aspiring rock star who wants to cut school to go to the filming of a music video so she can hand out copies of her CD to recording industry executives. But first they have to deal with being thrown off the train, being chased by a hitman who has hidden a valuable computer chip in Roxy's purse, losing Jane's speech, meeting up with two very cute guys, and many changes of costume.

Is it any good?

2

The plot is pretty standard bonding-through-adversity stuff, including a literal "my dog ate it" plot twist (in the next movie, I'll bet the butler did it). There are a couple of funny moments, mostly those involving either slapstick comedy or SCTV vets Eugene Levy (as the truant officer stalking the biggest catch of all -- Roxy) and Andrea Martin (as a dog-loving Senator). It's good to see New York City playing itself, instead of Toronto acting as understudy. Jack Osborne and a man from the Olson's past make brief appearances and Dr. Drew Pinsky brings the same dignified kindness to the role of the girls' father that he does to his popular radio call-in show about sex. But the movie still feels so artificial that it never captures the interest.

Perhaps it is because they are such hothouse flowers and have been surrounded by show business types and people who work for their Dualstar company all their lives, but Mary-Kate and Ashley don't seem to have much of a sense of how normal people behave in real life. All of their gestures and expressions come from the way people behave on television, imitations of imitations. They trot around on Sex-in-the-City high heels, and they smile, pout, and scream on cue. They know how to look pretty when they have to try on a montage of outlandish outfits bursting with bling-bling. But they don't have the guts to go for it when it's a choice between looking cute or getting the laugh. And the scenes (mercifully few) requiring actual acting are almost painful to watch. It is always good news to have a movie for the 8-14-year-olds, but it is too bad this one isn't better.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 01/13/08 by ana2 Kid contributor, age 13

i laughed

that is the best movie i like it
4


Posted on 12/20/07 by boolicious Kid contributor, age 13

Funny and Appropriate For Tweens and Up

I remember I borrowed this from my sister about 3 years ago, and I thought that it was awesome. I think this movie is really good for Olsen twins fans, even though I am not a huge one myself. It's fun and appropriate, so I recommend it for tweens and up!
3


Posted on 09/04/06 by hsmfan Kid contributor, age 11

It isn't the best movie, but it is still good.
2


Posted on 02/15/05 by Blurbie Kid contributor, age 16

Time to snooze...

It's kinda boring to be honest! The start is okay and then things just kinda go a bit downhill from there! But if you're an Olsen twin fan you'll probably love it.
3


Posted on 08/17/04 by fuzzykat805 Kid contributor, age 11

It was ok

This movie is mainly for people who like Mary-Kate and Ashley.
1


Posted on 05/11/04 by auntbkeller Adult contributor
0


Posted on 05/07/04 by halloween Adult contributor

awful

What is the point of making a movie that is supposed to be scary that's not? This movie is just plain awful. I hated it.

See all 7 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

1


Posted on 05/11/04 by auntbkeller Adult contributor
0


Posted on 05/07/04 by halloween Adult contributor

awful

What is the point of making a movie that is supposed to be scary that's not? This movie is just plain awful. I hated it.

Kids Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 01/13/08 by ana2 Kid contributor, age 13

i laughed

that is the best movie i like it
4


Posted on 12/20/07 by boolicious Kid contributor, age 13

Funny and Appropriate For Tweens and Up

I remember I borrowed this from my sister about 3 years ago, and I thought that it was awesome. I think this movie is really good for Olsen twins fans, even though I am not a huge one myself. It's fun and appropriate, so I recommend it for tweens and up!
3


Posted on 09/04/06 by hsmfan Kid contributor, age 11

It isn't the best movie, but it is still good.
2


Posted on 02/15/05 by Blurbie Kid contributor, age 16

Time to snooze...

It's kinda boring to be honest! The start is okay and then things just kinda go a bit downhill from there! But if you're an Olsen twin fan you'll probably love it.
3


Posted on 08/17/04 by fuzzykat805 Kid contributor, age 11

It was ok

This movie is mainly for people who like Mary-Kate and Ashley.
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