Georgia Rule (R, 2007)

common sense media says

Lohan acts out in muddled mother-daughter comedy.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although star Lindsay Lohan is still very popular among kids, this definitely isn't a teen flick (remember, director Garry Marshall is the man behind Pretty Woman as well as The Princess Diaries ...). Lohan's character lies, takes drugs, has sex indiscriminately (she's called a slut several times), and is basically without any inhibitions or common sense. The movie also tackles serious family issues like alcoholism, religion, fractured mother-daughter relationships, promiscuity, and sexual abuse. Teens too young to deal with dysfunctional sexual issues are probably too young to handle the mature themes of this "comedy."

Positive messages: Rachel is known to lie, and she can't seem to tell the difference between right and wrong. But in the end she and her mother make amends -- albeit very painfully.
Violence: Lilly frantically pushes and slaps Arnold, who violently shoves her to the floor.
Sex: Rachel takes off her panties, spreads her legs, and invites a guy to look and touch (though no nudity is shown). She then says it's his turn and gives the guy oral sex. In nearly every scene, Rachel is wearing either skimpy or cleavage-outlining (to put it mildly) outfits. She tries to seduce an older man and threatens to "f--k" a bunch of girls' boyfriends if they don't stop bothering her. Rachel's sexual history and the possibility of sexual abuse are discussed repeatedly throughout the film. Rachel calls Harlan's belief to wait until marriage for sex "retarded." Lilly kisses two different men.
Language: "F--k," "s--t," "goddamnit," "ass," "slut," "blow job," etc. Frequent, but not constant.
Consumerism: Cars: Ferrari and Mercedes.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Rachel drinks and does drugs. Lilly is an alcoholic, and she goes on a couple of drinking binges, consuming many, many bottles of hard liquor.

More on Georgia Rule

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether stars' off-screen lives affect how you perceive them on-screen. Did what you know about Lohan's personal life distract you from her performance? Families can also discuss the need for rules and boundaries. How did Lilly's lack of rules affect Rachel?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Lindsay Lohan is Rachel, a spoiled, highly sexualized San Francisco 17-year-old who's simply out of control: She lies, drinks, does drugs, and sleeps around without giving it a second thought. Her recovering alcoholic mom, Lilly (Felicity Huffman), realizes that her laissez faire parenting has created a narcissistic, manipulative monster, so she packs Rachel up and sends her to live with grandma Georgia (Jane Fonda) in small-town Idaho. Surrounded by rural Goody Two-shoes and her titular, rule-bound grandmother, Rachel gets her kicks by befriending handsome townie Harlan (Garrett Hedlund) and tempting sweet widower Simon (Dermot Mulroney), who happens to be her mom's high school boyfriend. Sex is a game, and Rachel knows exactly how to win. The movie adds a shocking backstory two-thirds of the way through when Rachel alleges that she's the victim of years of sexual abuse at the hands of her seemingly loving stepfather, Arnold (Cary Elwes).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Septuagenarian director Garry Marshall has made many a woman-centered film, most of which are perfect for mother-daughter time -- Beaches, The Princess Diaries, etc. But GEORGIA RULE isn't the light-and-fuzzy Mother's Day picture it's being marketed as in TV ads. (Don't forget, Marshall is the man behind the funny-but-prostitute-focused Pretty Woman, too.)

Despite her off-screen reputation, Lohan has real acting chops. And Fonda and Huffman are clearly gifted actresses. But even their dramatic pedigrees can't save this melodramatic mess from devolving into quick-fix sentimentality.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Garry Marshall
Cast: Felicity Huffman, Jane Fonda, Lindsay Lohan
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release: May 10, 2007
DVD release: September 4, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sexual content and some language.
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

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Most useful reviews by all members

 
Dan's Review
Georgia Rule has a great cast and was a very enjouyable movie. My wife and I both enjoyed it very much. Fonda, Huffman, and Lohan were all great.

 
Explicit sexual agenda & language
Wow, where do I begin! Lindsay's first onscreen appearance is to curse at her mother on a mountainous Utah road and ask her to leave her there, which she does gladly! Look out all you serial killers, here comes another easy prey, was my first thought. Then she's found by an unsuspecting gorgeous Mormon Virgin hunk who tries to see if a sleeping Lohan is alive by feeling her "heart" (breast!). It goes down hill from there. She ends up peeling her panties off on a row boat with same said target Mormom Virgin and asks him to "feel" her. She subsequently demands fair play and ends up screaming later to her grandmother and mother that she ONLY gave him a b*** job! Later to admit to his girlfriend at her college that she's indeed had oral sex with him, but "that was all! And now we're JUST friends!" Lohan's mouth is a constant canon for profanities, lies, truths??, sex talk detailing her sexual abuse by her stepdad, etc. etc. etc. She walks around this picturesque town dressed like a hooker most of the time and all I could think of was that Lohan sold her soul to the devil for the big bucks! And not far from her real off-screen persona, I'm sure! Also, very bothersome is her mother's alcohol induced tirades and meltdowns including vomiting, falling, breaking glass and slicing her lip from the fall. Then to picking out an appropriate butcher knife to get even with her husband who abused her daughter (understandably so). But to hear Jane Fonda angrily tell granddaughter Lohan to go F--- herself was quite a shock and to see her attack the stepdad with a wooden baseball bat was equally surprising. The only good thing about this film was the "happy ending" when the mother finally figures out the truth about her husband abusing her daughter and leaving him on a similiar mountain pass. I would have loved to have seen her get back together with her ex (Dermot Mulroney), but they don't take that further, only your imagination does. Sadly, the gorgeous Mormon Virgin gets poked fun at about his religious beliefs as well as his girlfriend's gal friends who says she'll pray for demon girl Lohan. No wonder even celebrities with kids have quit attending new movies -- they must have an inside track!

 
ZZZ...
I thought this movie was just OK. Jane Fonda is not very believable to me as a Grandmother. The story line was boring and predictable. The best part of the movie was the funny depiction of the Mormons. It is not one that I would go out of my way to watch again.

 
True to life drama - not fit for kids
My mother and I saw this on Mother's Day. We briefly considered taking my 11-year old daughter with us, but since it was R decided that would be risky. If we did take we would have left within the first ten minutes. Way over the top for kids. The movie had many funny moments, and my mother and I both laughed out loud. However, the promiscuity was deeply disturbing, and we actually found ourselves embarrased for Rachel. When her abuse was made to light it all made sense. The movie was very realistic in the consequences of the abuse. This is exactly what I have seen with other kids that are abused by adults. They lose their sense of trust, the only way they know to get "love" from a father figure is to offer sex, and they can't tell right from wrong. The mother and grandmothers reactions were very realistic. The alcholicism of the mother, Lily is also so real, especially when you consider she had "recovered". In the end we loved the movie. It was funny and shocking, and a bit educational. I did think they portrayed Mormans unfairly, especially the girsl. There is a large population of Mormans in Southern Idaho, but they are much more worldly than the film let on, and much more friendly. I am from Idaho and was a bit surprised when the films geography was really off. They could have at least done some research on where towns are located. This movie is okay for kids 17 and older, if they are mature enough to handle the question of abuse.

RonaldYu
parent of 10 year old
 
Teens and up
Great movie, funny, dramatic, and able to be a relatively inoffensive black comedy. Fine for teens, probably could have gotten a PG-13 if it weren't for language.

allis
kid, 12 years old
 

Tawanda
adult
 
Excellent!
I think the publicity about Lindsey Lohan has overshadowed an excellent movie. It was funny, serious, sad and compelling. The story held my interest the entire time~ which doesn't happen often. I work with teens and I think this story is much more common than we like to believe and it provides attention to an issue that is not often addressed. More than entertainment.

 
3 Ds - disgusting, disappointing & disturbing
just when you think you're going to see a comedy, and light-hearted family type of movie, it's not at all what you hoped for....thank goodness it's rated R so we didn't take our teenagers. This is a VERY adult movie, with disturbing dialogue & sexual content. The acting was nothing special at all, and I'm disappointed Jane Fonda accepted this role. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone as it was just plain nasty and sad.

mscathy
adult
 
unhappy
I was very upset with this movie.It would have been a very good movie if the sex scenes and the UGLY language was not in it. I would not tell anyone to watch this movie!!!!!!!11

 
It SUCKED
So why don't they have THAT for a rating? S for SUCKS. This one would get a triple S!

jezzel
adult
 
lindsey shouldnt be allowed to work.
well what do you expect from a talentless spoiled sleezy brat?

 
Not What you Think
I thought that I was sitting down to watch a "Lifetime Telivision for Women" type of movie about a dysfunctional family and thier path to healing. What I watched was not even close. It bordered on obscene. Jane Fonda was not very believable as the Grandmother. And the interaction between the characters was poor in my opinion. It was certainly not a movie that I would recommend to anyone . The best and funniest part of the movie was the depiction of the Mormons. Being that I live in Utah, this just struck me as funny. But it may offend the Church.

 
I thought it was great!!!
Honestly i think people are to hard on this film i think jane fonda, felicity huffman and yes lindsay lohan all did a good job. just because lohans in it doesnt maen it's a bad film. Give it a chance although it is a little raunchy it comes with a good lesson.

spice2
adult
 
ALL RIGHTY, IT'S A NO NO
Georgia (Jane Fonda), came through with her brilliant acting. She was the main character in this film--without her there is no movie. The ending was tender and a thought would be, "Maybe, there is hope for this troubled young woman and her mom as a family unit). The dysfunctional Rachel (Lohan) was comedic and sad; her character does make you laugh (she certaimly is not a role model for adloescents and teens). Yet, her character did make you laugh and smile at times, but it also made you shiver and think (this young woman is amoral---no values and can't distinguish right from wrong). Some sexual come ons could have been eliminated--they were not necessary. And the boat scene in the lake with Marlin/Marvin (counry bumkin), was unnecessary. Her character shot downhill from there. Seriously, there were many social aspects to deal with (sex, abuse, love and hate relationships, self-respect,parental decisions, drugs, acceptance). If the writer concentrated on 1-2 dysfunctions, the movie might have a better chance of succeeding. It was an 'ok' movie to sit and watch, no accolades. The ending was abrupt.

 
Great movie, mature themes
Sexual Content (Off): Lilly is seen making love with Arnold. Rachel tries to seduce Simon. Rachel asks Harlan if he is a virgin (he says yes and she thinks that's weird), then he asks her (she chuckles and thinks he's joking). Rachel invites Harlan to look at and touch her privates, and performs oral sex on him offscreen. Rachel tells Simon, Lilly, and Georgia that Arnold started having incestuous sex with her when she was 12 (this is discussed repeatedly throughout the film). Rachel chases after a bunch of girls who have been harassing her and threatens to have sex with their boyfriends if they don't stop. Rachel claims that Arnold was sweaty and grinding in a video of him having sex with her that her friend made. Violence (Pause): Lilly trips over a glass table and gets up with a slightly bloody lip (we later see a scar). Arnold and Lilly fight aggresively, with pushing, slapping, and shoving. Language (Pause): Several uses each of "f***", "s***", "g***dammit", "ass", "hell", "D**n", "b***ard", and "b**ch". Social Behavior (Pause): Rachel lies, drinks, smokes, does drugs, swears, and has sex indiscriminately. Though her behavior changes throughout the movie, this is not behavior you would want your kids exhibiting. Commercialism (Pause): Ferraris and Mercedes. Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco (Pause): Rachel drinks, smokes, and does drugs offscreen (some of the drugs mentioned are "crank" (cocaine), LSD, and alcohol). Lilly is a recovering alcoholic who relapses into alcoholism (she becomes so drunk that she cuts her hair off).

darrenc95
teen, 16 years old
 
Lohan shines in dramedy, themes too mature for some
My mom bought this movie on DVD and pre-screened it before she let me watch it. Afterward, she said I could not watch it. My grandparents noticed it was on Pay Per View, so they decided to watch it with me to see how bad it was. Most of the sexual behavior is implied, and no nudity is shown, but Lindsay Lohan's character Rachel being molested incestuously was extremely disturbing. What's even more disturbing is that such serious issues are placed in a comedy. Also, I hate how so many people are criticizing Lindsay's acting and this movie because of her party girl behavior. That was OFFSCREEN. This movie should not be criticized so harshly for Lindsay's unadmirable behavior offscreen. If you don't like the movie, that's fine, but don't blame it on Lindsay. You've got to give it to her, she's a great comedic and dramatic actress. She's a natural born actress, no doubt about that. The language is strong, but it is not constant. Rachel's character drinks, smokes, does drugs, and has sex offscreen. Her mother Lilly is seen both smoking and drinking hard liquor. Cars are mentioned (Ferraris and Mercedes). This movie is rated R for good reasons. It may be too mature for some, but it may be just fine for others. Apparently it was too mature for my 30 year old mother, but it's fine for me and I am 12. If you feel that your child is mature enough, you should let them watch it. I don't encourage anyone younger than me to see this movie.

uhh ohhhh orep
teen, 18 years old
 
me and my friend couldnt stop laughing!
i thought this movie was amazing! i loved it. i dont think that is approaite for kids younger than 12 though. although my 11 yearold sillibing was watching with us. it shows that life can and will be hard. but you can always turn back to your family to help you. it reminds me of in her shoes in a way. which has to be one of my favorite movies. lindsey is a trouble girl for all the obivous reasons. i think you should watch this movie espacially if you have ever truly had a hard time in your life. i LOVED iT!

big_sis
teen, 18 years old
 
An All Around Good Movie!!
Ok i've read a lot of reviews on this movie and over half of them are bad and it's truly not fair.this movie has a good message and was a wake-up call to most people.I'm 14 and very mature for my age so i understood the message.I would say if you think your child is not mature enough to handle a little sexual scene or some foul language i wouldnt recommened it. The actresses in the movie did a fabulous job.It shows that Lindsey Lohan is a born natural actress.If she gets her self strainted out she'll be a great upcoming actress all over again. Watch it you'll love it.

tagman28
teen, 17 years old
 
Good message, showed in an innapropriate manner...

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