 | 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. |
Good Luck Chuck
- Review Date: January 14, 2008
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Not funny or romantic; too raunchy for all ages.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that since this movie imitates the raunchy comedy style of The Wedding Crashers and Judd Apatow movies, it might appeal to older teens who are fans of "hard R" comedies. But this one doesn't have its predecessors' charm, and even though "only" one character smokes pot, nudity and sex (both as a subject of conversation and the act itself) are ubiquitous, and in some cases downright disgusting. Women are discussed as if they were walking genitalia, obese women are the target of ridicule, and even 10-year-olds are depicted as sex fiends who want to actually "do it" during a game of "7 Minutes in Heaven." Plus, the idea that women are so desperate to get married that they'd sleep with a stranger is demeaning and sexist.
What's the story?
Dane Cook, who has somehow transformed from a slightly better-looking standup comedian into the go-to leading man for lowbrow romantic comedies, plays Chuck, a womanizing dentist who's dubbed a good luck charm by the string of married women who dated him right before meeting Mr. Right. With the coaxing of his sex obsessed pal Stu (Dan Fogler) and dozens of willing women, Chuck becomes every single girl's dream one-night stand. The movie's "romantic" storyline is fueled by Jessica Alba as Cam, the one girl Chuck actually doesn't want to lose to the "next guy." But if he seals the deal with her, he's convinced that she'll move on and leave him broken-hearted. Thrown into their supposed chemistry is the fact that Cam is a total klutz who keeps accidentally hurting herself and Chuck, who suffers mild stabbing, electrocution, and bonks on the head when he's around her.
Is it any good?
Some comedies manage to balance raunch -- whether it's gratuitous language, sex, drug use, or some combination of the above -- with funny-yet-deeper themes about love (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), commitment (Knocked Up), or friendship (Superbad). But not all copycat comedies can effectively pull off the Judd Apatow formula for filmmaking. And in that case, what the audience is left with, as is the case in GOOD LUCK CHUCK, is just a bunch of offensive sex jokes.
It's all too precious and, frankly, rather unfathomable that Alba -- an actress so beautiful she's been called the sexiest woman in the world -- would have no better prospects than Cook's cad of a dentist. (And those hoping to sneak a peek at Alba's killer bod should note that she's one of the only women in the film who doesn't bare her breasts, although topless women seem to pop up in every other frame of the film.) Ultimately, if the prospect of seeing a woman with three breasts (Dr. Stu's dream girl) or of Cook being mounted by a morbidly obese woman or pretending to get nasty with a stuffed penguin appeals to viewers, this movie will be a hit. Otherwise, this is a sad excuse for a romantic comedy.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the "raunchy comedy" trend. Why are sex- and swearing-filled movies so popular? Is this movie as successful as its hard-R predecessors, or does it fall flat? Why? Parents, ask your kids what parts of the movie they found offensive. Why was that the case? Did any of it seem romantic? Why or why not? Families can also discuss whether the movie's central joke is sexist or funny. Do you think women would really line up to sleep with a stranger just so they can get married to the next man they meet?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Either the Most Unfunny Comedy Ever or a Well-Made Porno.
This was a different film; the plot suggests that it is an adult film, yet the cast and comic violence (which were the only funny parts, and if don't like comic violence, don't rent this movie)suggest that it was a comedy. I'm confused. Is this porn or a comedy? If the creators meant it to be a comedy they missed the mark by a long shot, and if they meant for it to be an R-rated prono, they hit the bullseye.
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AGE
So Funny, Yet So Filthy... The Definition of a Guilty Pleasure
Okay, let's face it: This movie is funny. What we also should face is that this movie is uncomfortably inappropriate. But, that's the magic of comedian Dane Cook's humor. This film used two things to promote itself: the glamerous beauty of Jessica Alba and the charismatic humor of Dane Cook. That's just the beginning. The film is above sex romp. It's basically almost a comedy porno with heart, making "American Pie" look tame. Things to look out for: Sex... oh, let's just sum it up to a few scenes. The first scene shows 10-year-olds playing seven minutes in heaven. The next notable scene is Charlie having sex with many, many women in a musical montage of sexual acts, sex positions, orgasms, moaning, and gratiutious graphic nudity. Other than those two disturbances, the film is riddled with sexual jokes, sexual comments, sexual discussions, boobs popping out at random, masturbation jokes, a scene where a guy is caught in the act of masturbating, oral sex on a stuffed penguin, a woman with three breasts, and the implication that Jessica Alba's character is using a vibrator off-screen. Violence, just typical slap-stick humor. Language: 74 uses of the "F" word, 33 sexual references, 24 uses of sexual slang, and other mild offenses such as name-calling and mild profanity. Bottom line: This is nothing but adult humor. Not for kids at all. Ages 17+ only. There is a LOT of sexual humor and nudity, but it is all for jokes, yet admittedly inappropriate by all means. 4/5 stars. Enjoy.
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AGE
Stop complaining and just watch it.
Im sick of all these stupid parents goin on and on "omg this movie is soooo bad" and "I'd never let my kid watch it" stfu. This is a great movie. Probably the only one i've ever watched alone and still laughed out loud at haha
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Kid, 12 years old
August 16, 2009
AGE
Perfecto for.....
A very good movie. I did see it with my parent so that's ok. If you are 14 and under, you should see it with your parent(s). Other than that, VERY GOOD MOVIE! But I say you should be AT LEAST 9 years old to see it. If you are under than 9, DON'T GIVE IT A CHANCE! NOT EVEN WITH YOUR PARENTS!!!! Just close your eyes if your watching it and your under 14. :) That's what I did!! Hope this helps!!
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AGE
DEFINITELY view it before letting your kids
lots of raunchy sex scenes not for kids but freaking hilarious for adults!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
it would be good for ages i think 14+
i loved it :)
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AGE
The movie trailers were misleading. I had no idea how raunchy and socially offensive this movie would be. It was a movie for perverts! The few funny lines did not make up for the degree of lewd acts that took place in the movie.
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| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Director: | Mark Helfrich |
| Cast: | Dan Fogler, Dane Cook, Jessica Alba |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 96 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 20, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | January 15, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of strong sexual content including crude dialogue, nudity, language and some drug use. |
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