Flakes (NR, 2007)
common sense media says
Quirky, mature hipster comedy is a bit too soggy.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that though this comedy may appeal to teenagers because it stars indie fave Deschanel, it has plenty of strong language (including many uses of "f--k") and shows its characters smoking and drinking fairly often. And though it's good-natured, there's something a little disturbing about the one-upmanship between Neal and his girlfriend. Plus, the movie is cereal-obsessed; the characters live and breath cereal trivia (kind of like the way the folks in High Fidelity obsess over music) to the point that the movie almost feels like a cereal infomercial.
Violence:
Some yelling between couples. Neal kicks and smashes his speaker.
Sex:
A couple makes out in their bedroom and are then shown in bed, under covers -- the man is naked from the waist up, the woman wears a camisole. Some innuendoes about having sex, but nothing too candid.
Language:
Frequent use of "f--k" (and another variation, "motherf--ker"), "sh-t," "a--hole," and more.
Consumerism:
Name a cereal brand, and it's visible and talked about, including Count Chocula, Lucky Charms, etc. Signage for the two featured restaurants. The whole film seems like an homage to New Orleans, with its montages of the city's tourist haunts.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Lots of drinking (mostly beer, and only by adults) and smoking. In fact, in one scene, Neal smokes so many cigarettes that he arranges the butts to stand up like a phalanx of soldiers. Allusions to drug use, especially in relation to Willie.
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