Good Luck Chuck (R, 2007)

common sense media says

Not funny or romantic; too raunchy for all ages.


parents & educators say

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.

Positive messages: Chuck takes advantage of women thinking he's a good-luck charm to sleep with as many of them as possible. Stu tries to pass himself off as Chuck so he can "score," too. The idea that women are so desperate to get married that they'd jump into bed with a man they don't even know is sexist and demeaning.
Violence: Chuck pushes and shoves a man and suffers several mishaps, like getting dental instruments stuck into his back, getting electrocuted, having shards of glass fall into his lap, etc. Cam accidentally falls and hurts herself several times.
Sex: There's barely a breast-free scene in the movie. Extensive montages of Chuck and dozens of topless women having sex in various positions. Only one love scene -- with Alba -- is nudity free. A disturbing image of a woman with three breasts. Chuck simulates oral sex on a stuffed penguin. A man pleasures himself with a grapefruit.
Language: Many euphemisms for female genitalia and sex: "f--k," "p--y," "p--n," etc. Other curse words ("s--t," "ass," "a--hole," etc.) are said frequently but still less often than the sexual words.
Consumerism: Hummer SUV; Pamela Anderson's breast implants.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Chuck gets incredibly drunk before one sexual encounter; wedding guests drink champagne; Cam's brother is supposedly always high and in one scene smokes marijuana.

More on Good Luck Chuck

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Mark Helfrich
Cast: Dan Fogler, Dane Cook, Jessica Alba
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: September 20, 2007
DVD release: January 15, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sequences of strong sexual content including crude dialogue, nudity, language and some drug use.
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

 
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.

tvgirl
adult
 
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.

Gemz44
kid, 12 years old
 
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!!

Cholee
parent of 2 and 4 year old
 
DEFINITELY view it before letting your kids
lots of raunchy sex scenes not for kids but freaking hilarious for adults!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
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

meeeeee2378
parent of 18 year old
 
it would be good for ages i think 14+
i loved it :)

benjoc
adult
 
Wouln't want my 23 year old to watch.

 
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.

 
good movie
3+years

Fitz
parent
 
livs reviews
very sexual but very funny a great teen romantic comedy ifffy for kids 13 and 14 on for 15 and up

WebCriticGirl76
teen, 18 years old
 
DISGUSTING, CRUDE, I HATED IT!
IT WAS THE WORST MOST DISGRACEFUL MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN! The truth is, I saw it by accident. I had no idea what it was. It is a nudity bomb, showing Chuck's butt, and many womens breasts, and a woman with three! There is terrible language, and drinking, they insult each other. This movie is disgusting. It is not even funny, or entertaining, it is stupid and sinful. How can these sick creeps live with themselves? There is serious sex, and disturbing sex with a stuffed penguin, they mention sex organs. There is serious making out, and he finds out one girl he has sex with used to be a boy he knew, but operated himself to a woman. His ex gave him a middle finger once. One man works in the breast implantation business. To find out the curse is true, Chuck has sex with a diseased obese woman, and then showers with all he has. This movie is not appropriate for ANYONE, and do not watch it! If you let your kids watch it, you disgust me.

lainilala
teen, 14 years old
 
no..
I really didnt like this movie...I was on a vacation and we stopped on this movie not knowing what to expect...and ya...:/

 
Wow
I am just amazed at some of the reviews written for this movie, such as the ones "warning" everyone of how offensive this movie is and how the topic is sexually explicit. Did you watch the previews? No kidding, the plotline revolves around a man having lots of sex, and you're suprised that it is raunchy, come on. It was clearly intended to be a more mature comedy. And for the self-ritious reviews calling it "offensive" get over yourself, raunchy is funny to some people, they're jokes, get over it. Dane Cook is a stand up comedian anyways, he makes a living making fun of women, overweight people ect., but they're just jokes, the people he is making fun of are cracking up in the first row. Yes this is inapropriate for young children but funny as heck to the rest of us.

 
The Worst Movie I've Ever Seen
My headline says it all. It should have been rated X. The story line is horrible. The sex scenes are ridiculous. It's just gross. What was Jessica Alba thinking???? Obviously she wasn't. Hopefully, her involvement in this movie won't ruin her career!

 
I demanded my money back!
From the beginning, I didn't care for the language. I don't want to see young teenagers "hooking up". Then it got worse, I can't believe this is rated R. The nuditity alone was bad but the graphic sex scenes were unnecessary. I think there needs to be a stronger warning. I was so embarrassed sitting in a crowded theater watching porn. My friends and I had to leave. Parents be warned!

Ma
adult
 
Raunchy
When watching the trailers and commercials on TV for this movie, We, our family 15yr old to 20 year old kids, thought this would be a light hearted comedy. Thus we didn't even think to look at the rating. We took our 15 yr. old daughter. the first 10 min. of movie.I Wanted to leave because of the language of sexual slang in the innocent game of spin the bottle! Our daughter wanted to wait and see where and how Jessicia Alba came into play. so we stayed longer only to get more disgusted with the nudity which was so free flowing and made to be acceptable in the movie. We finally left after our daughter was so disgusted and couldn't believe what she was seeing. These kind of trailers need to really noted as adult audiences only.

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