 | 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. |
The Cable Guy
- Review Date: March 27, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 1996
Common Sense Media says
A twisted comedy about TV addiction. Teens OK.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Chip flashes back on a childhood where he was neglected by his mom and abandoned by his father. Chip was raised by TV, and embodies all the warnings about what too much TV does to people: he becomes a sociopath, stealing, lying, blackmailing, and manipulating because he doesn't know how to have relationships. There's also considerable comic violence in this film, including people getting beat up and the main characters brandish swords and battle axes and joust at a medieval-themed restaurant. A character threatens suicide and jumps, but doesn't die.
What's the story?
Imagine growing up with TV as your parent: It teaches you how to behave, what's appropriate, and what's healthy in relationships and in life. Scary. That's what happened to Chip (Jim Carrey), who has Jerry Springer's pop wisdom, sports movies' unbridled machismo, and a soap-operatic view of love. In other words, he's a sociopath. Meanwhile, Steven (Matthew Broderick) just wants his cable hooked up. Chip is the tardy and over-the-top guy who hooks him up. Right away, Chip is too familiar, too clingy, and too interested in being Steven's friend. Soon, he's shanghai'ing Steven into a trip up to see the cable satellite and showing up unbidden at a pickup basketball game. He's loud, he quotes too many TV shows and movies, and he has no social skills. When Steven tires of Chip's inappropriate antics, he snubs Chip. And suddenly Chip shows his dark side. What ensues is a cat-and-mouse game that's sometimes rollicking fun and sometimes cringe-worthy.
Is it any good?
There are some truly crazy scenes here. The battle between Steven and Chip at Medieval Times is hilarious, as is the karaoke scene. This is vintage Carrey, before he took himself seriously as an actor. He's all funny faces and off-the-wall voices.
This is also a film by Ben Stiller, who cameos as Sam Sweet, the former child star accused of killing his twin. Stiller is obsessed with pop culture references, and there are a lot in the film. But remember: this is a morality tale of what happens when parents leave their children to be raised by TV. At one point, Chip laments, "I am the bastard son of Claire Huxtable. I am the lost Cunningham. I learned the facts of life from watching The Facts of Life." There's nothing subtle here. If you agree with the message, you'll enjoy the movie. If not, it may be too grating.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about family rules that limit TV watching. Why do you have those rules? Do adults follow them, too? The film is a great opportunity to help children become savvier media consumers: are the relationships they see on TV healthy relationships? Do people in movies show their passion for each other by fighting? When you fight in real life, how does it feel? What's the difference between hyperbole for theatrical effect and real-life behavior? How much do you pattern your behavior off what you see on TV?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
October 2, 2010
AGE
great movie about media obsession
the great message here is that if you let your child stare at a screen all day, he/she will have little or no social skills and know little of the world. the other, less stressed message is that child neglect will cause sociapathy in the victim, in this case, Chip. now, staring at the TV all day will not make you psycho, but it will ruin your life, and this is the perfect scare tactic. while the message is a good one, there are no really good role models in this film...at all, and when I say at all, I mean at all. there is alot of comic violence, and Steven has a nightmare about Chip, which might be too scary and creepy for younger ones. plus, there is one scene where they play "porno password" in Steve's house, which has constant refrences to sexuality and private parts. I wouldn't say Chip is a bad role model, and who could blame him? he was neglected as a child. you should be sorry for him! And of course he attempted suicide! he has so little social skills, he dosen't know any other way out, and it could be suggested that he wanted to go to heaven to get revenge on his mother! plenty of pop culture refrences. Chip says "soon people can connect phone, TV, and internet! soon you could play mortal combat with a friend in Trinidad!" that is more true today than it was in '96, which is scary. the fact of kids being raised by TV is also more true now, and it's being refrenced in plenty of music videos! also scary. overall, if your kids won't turn off the telly, this is the perfect movie to have them start thinking about it, at least.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2010
AGE
the use of jerk-off in the beggining
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
The Cable Guy
A simply hilarious movie teens will love.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This is 'the funniest Jim Carrey movie I have ever seen!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
freakin awsome
i love this movie so much. i watched it at least 7 times in the past 2 days.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Hilarious
Funnier than I expected; brought the best out of Carrey's talent, one scene not sex but very graphically sex-related.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
The Cable Guy is a good movie!
This is an awesome movie, very funny! Should be appropriate for mature 10 year olds.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Ben Stiller |
| Cast: | Jack Black, Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 96 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 10, 1996 |
| DVD release date: | September 15, 1997 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexuality and comic violence |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
