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All About Steve

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Sandra Bullock plays a stalker in unappealing romcom.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, gender issues

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Although the movie's "stalking" theme is obviously negative, the movie's resolution makes it clear that if you have to stalk someone you love, they don't really love you. The fact that Steve is less interested in Mary after discovering how "book smart" she is also sends an iffy message.
  • Role models:

    Ultimately, Mary realizes that she shouldn't have to change who she is for a man (she doesn't dumb down her behavior or change to be less quirky), but none of the characters is really a role model. Mary is a workaholic who transforms into an unprofessional, obsessed stalker. Steve is only too happy to sleep with a woman he hasn't said two words (until she proves herself too "crazy smart," that is). The news reporters are only interested in ratings and beating their colleagues to juicy stories. Mary's brand-new friends are sweet, but the woman in particular seems ignorant.
  • Violence:

    A group of schoolchildren falls into a hidden mineshaft; later, a couple of main characters fall in, too. A tornado lifts up a car that a few characters just ran away from, and there are a few funny pratfalls by Mary and Steve.
  • Sex:

    Mary basically attacks Steve during their first date. She and Steve are shown shirtless (she's wearing a bra) and make overt sexual references/gestures while making out as they're lying down in the backseat of a car. Although it's technically not a sex scene, the foreplay includes a few verbally explicit moments. Aside from that one scene, there are many conversations about romantic relationships and sexual comments and innuendo.
  • Language:

    Language includes "s--t," "a--hole," and "p---y," as well as "crap," "dumbass," "Christ!" and tamer words like "damn," "hell," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Surprisingly few product placements, but there are a couple, including Twinkies.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink beer with meals in a couple of quick scenes.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of All About Steve was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

Parents need to know that this offbeat comedy includes some sexual content (Sandra Bullock strips down to her bra, and Bradley Cooper is shirtless in the film's one love scene), as well as humorous but continuous references to sex, dating, and unrequited, obsessive infatuation (i.e. stalking). Language includes frequent use of words like "s--t" and "a--hole," and there's a brief glimpse of adults drinking beer with meals. There's a little bit of mild peril when characters get stuck in potentially dangerous situations, as well as a few cartoonish pratfalls.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about obsessive relationships. Is Mary a stalker? Do you think that it's OK for the movie to find humor in that situation? What would be the consequences in real life?
  • How would the movie change if the main characters' genders were reversed? Would it be just as funny, or would it seem scary if a man was doing the stalking?
  • Does the movie send a negative message to "book smart" young women, or is it a positive one?
Did this review help you decide?

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More on All About Steve

What’s the Story?

Mary Horowitz (Sandra Bullock) is a know-it-all crossword-puzzle editor at a small Sacramento newspaper. Temporarily living with her parents (Howard Hesseman and Beth Grant), Mary agrees to go a on a blind date they've set up with Steve (Bradley Cooper), a cameraman for a cable news channel. Mary immediately realizes that Steve is a catch and aggressively pounces on him, only to turn him off when she won't stop talking. After losing her job for making the weekly crossword all about her new crush, she decides to stalk him as he tracks down news stories with cocky on-air reporter Hartman (Thomas Haden Church).

Is It Any Good?

Without denying the considerable comic talent of Bullock and Cooper (for proof, see their far better comedies The Proposal and The Hangover), this film is neither funny nor romantic. Instead of seeming nerdy cute like so many male protagonists in romantic comedies, Mary just seems stunted and desperate. It's disingenuous to believe that a walking encyclopedia who loves words so much would be so shallow. One meaningless tussle in the back of a car does not a romance make.

Bullock, so charming even in her lesser films, can't save this nearly unwatchable mess. Cooper does his best acting either put-upon or crazed, and Church earns the movie an extra star for actually eliciting a few laughs. His ambitious, arrogant reporter is a caricature, sure, but he's a welcome break from the train wreck that is Mary and Steve.

Movie Details

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Director: Phil Traill
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/4/2009, DVD release: 12/22/2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content including innuendos

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Great!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Great... So funny :P

    I really enjoyed this movie. The beginning was a little boring but about a quarter of the way into i started LOVING IT! it made me laugh... It was so suspense full until the very end... I reccomend this movie to anyone..My parents were laughing.. I was laughing I LOVED IT

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    I think it was SUPER FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Not for anyone!

    I thought this movie was the worst Sandra has done. I usually love her but the last 10 minutes is the only good part. It is FULL of sexual innuendos & has a very long inappropriate scene in a car. I wouldn't let any of my kids watch it! I'm ashamed I did.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    WATCH IT! :]

    This is a great movie. There are sexual references, but it's just for comic uses. Nothing bad in it at all really. Awesome movie!!

  6. I rate this title off for age 9 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Blagh!

    I think that All About Steve is really a movie that is not appropriate really. I have seen a scene of this movie, and that did it for me, not only is it not ok, it's B.O.R.I.N.G!!!! I don't like it at all!

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    For the Dry Humored

    Really funny. The only sexual scenes that everybody is worried about are fine! They are sexual, but in a funny way. Like she gives notice to the twinkie in the van. I love it. If your kid has a very kiddish sense of humor, like Monsters vs. Aliens, or Shorts- then I would say they wouldn't enjoy it. But if they are dry humored or like films like Legally Blonde, or Miss Congeniality then it will be fine. I am 11 and I personally loved it!

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    ok.....

    i was ok

  9. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    never seen the movie but really want to

  10. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    never seen the movie but really want to

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Great movie. (:

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    ok first of all the little kid who keeps trying to reveiw it whos like 7 dont listen to a crap of wat shes gotta say! shes like 7 and she says its anapropite for 16 year olds! LOL....

  13. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    the content is off for 15 and under

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    kissing action fighting just isnt for 15 years old

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    THIS comedy thriller is a hit for ages 16 + because of the curse words the action parts the scars . the most evil man in the world brakes out of prison and the only man that can stop him is steve

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    the stuff in the film include curse words punching kicking gun fire sword fights fights

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    there is lots of R rated stuff that means no teens or kids or babys under 17 of age

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    this movie has stuff to much cursing for even 13 years to 16 years can not see this movie it has lots of R rated stuff that means ON for 17 and OFF for 16

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    one will fight all in his way his name is robert a really inocent name but he is no inocent he is really evil he is the most evil person on earth and funny people not smart people to kill men and women but one is no match for anyone and no one can ever kill this fighter his name is steve another inocent name now he is inocent but he like to use some curse words and do rude stuff

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