 | 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. |
Chasing Liberty
- Review Date: May 3, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Middle school girls only need apply.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is aimed squarely at 13-year-old-girls. It contains implied nudity, strong language and smoking and drinking (it takes place in Europe where drinking is legal at age 18). Characters also lie and steal without any second thoughts or consequences. Liberty and Ben leave a restaurant without paying and lie to get a free gondola ride. A girl begins to explain the appeal of a pierced tongue, but is stopped before she can finish. Liberty complains about not getting a chance to get to "third base." Liberty twice takes her clothes off in front of Ben (nothing shown), once intending to seduce him, but he refuses. Even after they declare their feelings for each other, they do not have sex, a refreshing departure for the norm in this genre.
What's the story?
Pop princess Mandy Moore plays the President's runaway 18-year-old daughter in this formula romantic comedy designed for middle school girls and not of much interest or appeal for anyone else. Liberty (Moore) is a sweet kid who understands that being followed by secret service agents and having her picture taken with tourists and dignitaries is part of the job description. Like any other 18-year-old, she thinks her parents are too protective. On a trip to Prague, her father (Mark Harmon) breaks his promise to limit her secret service protection to two agents, so she runs away, with the help of a handsome guy with a cool British accent named Ben (Matthew Goode). It turns out that he is in the secret service, too, but ordered not to tell Liberty, so that she can have the illusion of an adventure. But things do not go as planned, and they end up having more of an adventure than they thought.
Is it any good?
There are pretty things to look at in CHASING LIBERTY, especially Prague and Venice, and newcomer Goode, who is very good indeed. And we want to root for the overprotected Liberty, never alone but always lonely, to take some risks and have some fun. But Moore is so limited as a performer, the plot and dialogue are so superficial and unimaginative, and the lack of chemistry between the leads is so intrusive that a recap montage of the would-be high points near the end just seems painful.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how Liberty's situation is just an exaggerated version of the struggles that all parents and teenagers have over independence. Why did Liberty try to get Ben to have sex with her? Why did he turn her down? What made them like each other? Families might want to read up on Alice Roosevelt, the headstrong and outspoken daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. When asked why he did not stop her from getting into trouble, he replied that he could control the affairs of state, or control Alice, but could not possibly do both.
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AGE
This movie is the best! I love it! I could watch it all day!!!
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Kid, 12 years old
December 31, 2010
AGE
Iffy For 10-11, On For 12+
This movie was really good. I was flipping from channel to channel and found this. I had heard of it before and decided to give it a chance. It actually wasn't half bad. Some parts I'd have to say would definantly be un-age appropriate. If you're 12 and older, this movie would most likely be fine for you.
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AGE
Pretty good
A pretty good and pretty funny romantic comedy. Mandy Moore is good in this, although I do have to say I like her better as a singer. One scene of nudity and sexual references that get stopped just before they get dirty. If you're over 10, I think you'll get okay with this.
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AGE
ON for 13+
Little amount of nudity, when skinnydipping in a river. It doesn't show anything. Yes, several 4-letter curse words. Overall, a great movie for the average 13-year old girl.
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AGE
cute
For a teenage fluff romance it was really pretty cute. Mandy Moore is fun to watch. I appreciate the fact that she isn't a tiny little, emaciated modle. She is tall and has curves and looks like a real person. Also, aside from one drunk, skinny-dipping scene, she always dresses modestly. The guy she falls for is just the type most moms would approve of: responsible, capable, educated and cute. The shots of Europe were lovely and good for expanding young horizons. True, the plot was predictable, but then it is definetely written for teen girls and they'll love it. Get some popcorn and enjoy.
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AGE
This movie, the acting, and the plot were pretty good. Everyone who is 14 or up should definitely watch this.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Andy Cadiff |
| Cast: | Annabella Sciorra, Jeremy Piven, Mandy Moore |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 9, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | May 4, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content and brief nudity |
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