Crazy on the Outside

  • Review Date: August 27, 2010
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 2010
Review

Common Sense Media says

So-so romcom with lots of sexual situations; not for tweens.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is a romantic comedy, and the directorial debut of actor/comedian Tim Allen (The Santa Clause, the voice of "Buzz Lightyear" in the Toy Story movies). It contains some mature material, but its overall messages are positive and should be fine for older teens, even though it's aimed more at grown-ups. Profanity is fairly heavy, with one use of "f--k" and several uses of "s--t," and there are constant, comical sexual situations, though no nudity.

  • Positive messages2
    The movie suggests that it's possible that a character, released from a three-year stint in prison, can straighten out his life and find happiness. Of course, Tommy faces many temptations, and he briefly succumbs to some of them, but eventually manages to bounce back. He also has some bad luck, but weathers everything quite nicely. Overall, he's a good example of overcoming adversity. On the other hand, there is some very brief Asian stereotyping.
  • Positive role models3
    Tommy has served three years in prison for video piracy, and he leaves determined to go straight. He reconnects with his family and tries to start up a good business (his father's old company). He shows strong empathy toward a single mother and her son. There are many wrong paths, and he faces many temptations, but aside from a few stumbles, he works hard to change his bad behavior and become a good person.
  • Violence1
    Minor comic violence. Tommy is "kidnapped" in one scene, though it turns out to be nothing. A jealous boyfriend catches him and we see one punch. A baseball hits a kid in the head during a game.
  • Sex3
    No nudity, but the film is filled with sexual situations, sexual innuendo, and some kissing. Tommy has wild, comical sex with his old girlfriend, not knowing that she has a new fiance. The girlfriend suggests that they continue "cheating" after she's married. Tommy's brother-in-law continually lusts after his wife (Tommy's sister) and makes sexy comments about her. Tommy "checks out" his new parole officer, a dildo is shown, and characters talk about sex very often.
  • Language3
    The movie pushes the boundaries of its PG-13 rating, with one use of "f--k" and multiple uses of "s--t." We also hear "butt," "d--k," "ass," "damn," "Jesus," "crap," "bitch," "hell," "bastard," "God," "nuts," "asshole," and "hump."
  • Consumerism2
    There's enough product placement to call attention to itself. Tommy's sister offers him a "Tic Tac" and a "Life Saver" in the film's first ten minutes. We see a can of Coca-Cola, a tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and a bottle of Dasani water (a product of the Coca-Cola company).
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Adults drink beer and wine with dinner. In one scene, a supporting character -- the grandmother -- comically adds whisky to her coffee.
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What's the story?

Tommy (Tim Allen) has just served three years in prison for video piracy. He moves in with his sister (Sigourney Weaver) and attempts to rebuild his life, starting by taking up his father's old painting business. Unfortunately, his sister has set up an elaborate system of lies that Tommy must attempt to live up to. His former partner in crime (Ray Liotta) wants him back. And his ex-girlfriend -- whom he thought was dead -- wants to have an illicit affair with him. Worse, his pretty parole officer (Jeanne Tripplehorn) wants him to work at a fast food restaurant; he starts to develop feelings for her, but her past baggage, as well as his history as a criminal, prevents her from opening up to him. Can Tommy juggle all these stumbling blocks, resist temptation, build his own business, and settle down with the right girl?

Is it any good?

 

Tim Allen's feature directorial debut -- he once directed an episode of "Home Improvement" -- is at once innocuous as well as inoffensive. He doesn't necessarily rely on childish slapstick, even if he includes strong language and sexual situations. But he also doesn't really take any chances; he conjures up a fairly standard romantic comedy in which a poor, lost, sad-sack must decide on the right girl, avoid temptation and trouble, listen to dunderheaded advice from his friends and relations, and still come out the other side.

As a result of this safety, there are few genuine laughs or surprises here, but there are some heartfelt performances, and some warm moments from a cast of talented character actors. Allen's movie has its heart in the right place, and it winds up as a fairly inspirational comedy, without being truly memorable.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the movie's sexual content. Was it appropriate? Was it funny? Was there too much?

  • Is it really possible for an ex-con to live a good, decent life? How would you feel about a person like this? Could you trust them?

This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
Teen, 14 years old
December 28, 2011
AGE
2
 
sucky but....,,............... no its mostly sucky
EPIC but a little sucky
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This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
Studio:Freestyle Releasing
Director:Tim Allen
Cast:Jeanne Tripplehorn, Sigourney Weaver, Tim Allen
Genre:Comedy
Run time:96 minutes
Theatrical release date:January 8, 2010
DVD release date:January 10, 2010
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:sexual content and language
This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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