Parents' Guide to

Big Fat Liar

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Really likeable family comedy set in cutthroat Hollywood.

Movie PG 2002 88 minutes
Big Fat Liar Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 9 parent reviews

Teacher098
Teacher098 Parent of 2-year-old
November 13, 2022
age 9+
I really liked the setting of this movie, and it is very funny. Its a must see for kids!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
FunChoiceFriday
FunChoiceFriday Adult
May 15, 2019
age 8+

Funny movie for older children

It's a great storyline about the consequences of lying. A few mild language incidents not appropriate for smaller children. Cigar smoking. "Hell"
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After getting caught in one of his many elaborate lies, eighth-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?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (32 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

  • Do you think Frankie Muniz and Amanda Bynes have made a successful transition to movies after being stars of their own TV shows?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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