 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Big Fat Liar
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Really likeable family comedy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while this movie's theme is the importance of telling the truth and being trustworthy, the message is a little mixed. In order to prove that he was telling the truth about finishing his story, Jason and Kaylee have to lie, steal, vandalize, and generally behave in an irresponsible and illegal manner, even by the standards of comic fantasy. And at the end, Jason's parents are proud of him for proving that he was not lying. One small bright spot worth mentioning is that all of Jason's efforts are intended to show that he was telling the truth.
What's the story?
After getting caught in one of his many elaborate lies, 8th grader Jason (Frankie Muniz) is given a tight deadline to turn in his homework, or go to summer school. He writes a story called "Big Fat Liar," but as he races to get it in on time, he collides with a car driven by an even bigger liar, Hollywood producer Marty Wolf (Paul Giamattti). In a mix up, Jason loses his paper in Wolf's car, and no one believes that he really did write the story. Summer comes, and so does Marty Wolf's movie called "Big Fat Liar." Jason sets out to prove to his parents that he really was telling the truth. He spends his savings to get to Los Angeles with his friend Kaylee (Amanda Bynes). The kids scam their way into Wolf's office, but Wolf refuses to tell the truth. So Jason and Kaylee, along with a growing group of fellow Wolf-haters, set up a series of pranks designed to torture Wolf into admitting that Jason wrote the story for his new movie.
Is it any good?
Muniz and Giamatti are deft comic actors in BIG FAT LIAR, but the highlight of the movie is Bynes as Kaylee. Her two different but equally hilarious renditions of Hollywood secretaries are gems. Giamatti is so relentlessly selfish and egotistical that it gets a bit tedious, but he does do a wonderful little dance to "Hungry Like a (what else?) Wolf."
One small bright spot worth mentioning is that all of Jason's efforts are intended to show that he was telling the truth. His motive for pursuing Wolf is never getting any money or credit for his story. Another strength of the movie is its racially diverse cast.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why people lie and how it feels not to be trusted. When someone is caught in a lie, how can he or she regain the trust of those who have been disappointed? Would you like to see the movie based on Jason's story? What do you think it would be like?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
October 30, 2011
AGE
good film
the message is to tell the truth,but people lie in the story to.Jason shepherd is a fibber, that lies a lot. he has to do project to write a story.when gets a ride in a car from a man,he drops the story.But the guy turns the story into a movie,Jason's parents don't belive he wrote the story.i wont' tellthe rest,watch the movie to find out!
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Kid, 10 years old
February 23, 2010
AGE
Best movie ever!
I saw the movie and it was great but the word '' Suck'' is common. It shows a man in the shower but goes nowhere under tummy. There's one scene where two characters jump out of a plane. Both the main characters are a liar. Great movie though
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AGE
Good for tweens and older
The movie protrays the consequenses of lying in an interesting way. The movie is full of slap-stick comedy that is fun for the whole family. We have seen this movie several times and still laugh at it.
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AGE
Family film.
Moderate smoking is the only concern. Good family film.
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AGE
great for older kids
I think big fat liar is a great comedy for older kids and i cracked up the first time i saw it
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Kid, 12 years old
July 2, 2009
AGE
One bad role model, one great movie
I LOL at this movie and I've seen it, like, 50 times, but it's definitely appropriate. Paul Giamotti doesn't play a very good role model in this film, but you'll get a kick out of him. I recommend this movie for a 'Family Film Night'. It just gets better and better each time you watch it!
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Kid, 11 years old
June 12, 2011
AGE
Big Fat Liar
This was a funny movie. The whole movie is about revenge, and can get violent. Some mild cussing. Most of the movie takes place in Universal Hollywood. This was a very good movie.
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AGE
I love this movie, I ain't lying
I LOVE this movie!!!!!! It is so funny! That producer guy got what he deserved, and besides, they say at the end telling the truth isn't over rated. "I'm Blue daba dee dabba dy. . . " that's my theme song! Watch it. Own it. Lovw it. The only thing I truly dislike is when they say "Oh my God" all the time. I don't say that unless I get super angry, and then I apologize later.
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AGE
Nothing Bad for Ages 7 Up
A movie favorite that's a little offensive here and there, but nothing bad for ages 7 up.
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| Topics: | adventures |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Shawn Levy |
| Cast: | Amanda Bynes, Frankie Muniz, Paul Giamatti |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 8, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | September 24, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | vulgar language |
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