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The Great Buck Howard

(2009, Rated PG, Comedy, Starring John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, Emily Blunt)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Offbeat magic comedy isn't likely to get kids' attention.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A once-successful magician has delusions of grandeur that don't befit his humbler career. He's sometimes rude and pompous and condescending to fans. He also insults his employees and is blindingly self-important. Overall, the movie's message is to love what you do, though it doesn't always come across loud and clear.

  • Violence:

    Buck throws things around and sometimes has meltdowns. Some loud arguments.

  • Sex:

    A girl with a boyfriend hooks up with a co-worker; they kiss and presumably sleep together, but there's no graphic love scene.

  • Language:

    Fairly mild: "nitwit," "stupid," "suck," "butt."

  • Consumerism:

    Lots of name-checking: Johnny Carson, George Takei, Sally Jessy Raphael, Jerry Springer, Jay Leno. Some clips of Buck on TRL, The Daily Show, and Live With Regis and Kelly. An issue of Entertainment Weekly figures prominently.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A girl guzzles liquor from a hotel mini-bar. Some social drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Great Buck Howard

Parents need to know that although this eccentric comedy is fairly tame when it comes to language and nudity, it's probably not on most kids' radar. Still, tweens and teens who are into magic might actually find it interesting, though the movie's life lesson -- love what you do -- doesn't always come across clearly. Expect a bit of drinking and kissing, as well as some loud arguments and rudeness and tantrums from the main character.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about who the movie's target audience is. It's rated PG, but does that automatically mean that it's for kids?

  • Is there a good message to take away from the movie?
  • What, if anything, does Troy learn from Buck -- and vice versa?
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