video review
See more movie reviews

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (R, 2009)

common sense media says

Anything-goes comic raunch-fest is funny, but not for kids.

parents & educators say
  • 100% say sexual content is an issue
  • 100% say language is an issue
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this raunchy comedy is packed with over-the-top, crude language and sexual jokes/innuendo from beginning to end. No bodily function is left unreported; no serious issue is safe from the lowest forms of humor. Expect a constant stream of racial slurs, fat jokes, outrageous come-ons, and religious send-ups. Interspersed with these verbal assaults are the visual ones: erotic lap dances, bare breasts and full-frontal female nudity, a bizarre brush with pedophilia, an exaggerated (albeit clothed) male erection, and dildos literally falling from the sky. The objective in all cases? Non-stop gross-out humor.

Positive messages: Material success at any cost is the desired goal. The characters are immoral, unethical, hedonistic, and immature -- and suffer no consequences for their behavior. Racial
insensitivity and exaggerated gay advances are presented as laughable,
as are religion, smoking, drug use, and sexuality. By the film's end, minor lessons are learned and values are explored, but not convincingly. Only one positive message is delivered: Teamwork is a key to achievement.
Positive role models: Most characters are driven by selfishness, vanity, and unchecked carnal desires; several also exhibit racism and/or other prejudices. No strongly positive female characters to speak of.
Violence: All of the action sequences are meant to be funny: A mini-riot erupts at a used car sale, children in a plastic jumping ring are flung against the mesh walls, several salesmen attack a small Asian man during a moment of racial animosity.
Sex: Countless sexual references throughout, all played for humor. Women are bare-breasted in several scenes and engage in pole dancing, as well as erotic lap dance routines. There's also full-frontal female nudity. In one sequence, the camera cuts between two lovemaking scenes, but neither reveals any substantial nudity or sexual activity. A woman tries to seduce a young boy (in the body of a mature man); a man tries to seduce one of his male staff members. Shots of sexual paraphernalia; many references to and one image of male erection (albeit clothed). In more than one instance, stories are recalled that vividly describe past sexual encounters.
Language: Incessant strong, sexual, and crude language. Multiple uses and forms of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as "ass," "hell," "damn," "oh my God," and more. Frequent references to various bodily functions, body parts ("c--k," "boner," "p---y," etc.), and sexual activity. There are also fat jokes, sexual slurs, and racial slurs,  including the "N" word, "queer," and "Jap."
Consumerism: Parodies of Men's Wearhouse and Head and Shoulders commercials.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A main character passionately advocates smoking in a lengthy scene on an airplane. Some social drinking. A man is seen snorting cocaine in the background of one shot. Occasional references to marijuana and drug use.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movie's over-the-top style of humor. How far will filmmakers go to elicit laughter? Did any scenes make you uncomfortable?
  • The movie is full of jokes about race, weight, religion, sexuality, etc. Is that a form of stereotyping? Is it OK to play up stereotypes in the name of humor?
  • It's usually important for a movie to have a character the audience can root for. How do the filmmakers make the main characters likeable in spite of their outrageous, ridiculous behavior?
  • How does the movie depict "families"? How is Don's gang of salespeople like a family? Are there things to admire about their relationship? How does that family compare with the actual Selleck family?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Selleck Auto sales is in trouble -- cars just aren't moving. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Don Ready (Jeremy Piven) and his overworked cavalry of on-call super salespeople (Ving Rhames, Kathryn Hahn, David Koechner) ride to the rescue. With just one long weekend to turn things around and hundreds of cars to sell, the "only" things standing in their way are the economic downturn, shoddy vehicles, overinflated prices, and Selleck's ineffectual staff and bizarre family. Plus, there's the mandatory obnoxious rival -- in this case smarmy Paxton Harding (Ed Helms), who fancies himself a rock star and has delusions of grandeur. Ready may be a confirmed predator, but he's about to experience some truly life-changing moments -- and maybe learn a lesson or two about love and honor along the way.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

It's irreverent and beyond crass, but THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HART is also very funny. No cow is too sacred to be decimated here. Piven and a long list of brave comic performers and character actors (including a hilarious turn by producer Will Ferrell) give it their all, whether they're on screen for only a few moments or in leading roles.

It's not a movie for the easily offended, and it's definitely not a movie for kids. But if gross-out, testosterone-filled humor and the skewering of political correctness makes you laugh, then The Goods is a definite must-see.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Vantage
Director: Neal Brennan
Cast: Jeremy Piven, Kathryn Hahn, Ving Rhames
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: August 14, 2009
DVD release: December 15, 2009
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sexual content, nudity, pervasive language and some drug material
Watch our review
This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

15
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say sexual content is an issue
  • 100% say language is an issue
  • 50% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Naruto uzumaki
parent of and 4 , 9 , 11 year old
17
 
none
very bad left early
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
L3viathan
adult
17
 
This movie is repulsive!! I left halfway through and will never watch it again!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
MedievalClaire
parent of 11 year old
10
 
I loved the movie and thought it was hilarious, but I would not take children to see it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
Brenden748
adult
17
 
Waste of time and money...wouldnt watch it again if you paid me
This movie was so dirty it needs to take a bath! I took my girlfriend to see it and was embarassed with all the female nudity. She said she felt very awkard and insulted. It wasnt even funny...they show all the funny parts on tv. The pushed every boundry to the limit and beyond. I would never recomend this movie to anyone. It is truely a waste of your time and money. Not a movie for date night. Not too many happy females in the theater.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other irreverent, gross-out comedies
Browse more movies
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines