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Holiday in Handcuffs

(2007, Rated NR, Comedy, Starring Mario Lopez, Melissa Joan Hart, Markie Post)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Older kids can take romantic comedy's iffy stuff.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Despite committing serious federal offenses (theft and kidnapping), the main character faces no repercussions for her actions. A man's homosexuality is handled maturely. The main character experiences self-affirming personal growth when she finally expresses her true feelings to her domineering parents.
  • Violence:

    A woman kidnaps a man at gunpoint, ties and blindfolds him, and takes him against his will to her parents' house -- but there's an obviously humorous tone to the process, and the gun is only fired once, accidentally (the shot shreds the car's interior). A few other scenes also show guns being aimed, but again the situational comedy is obvious.
  • Sex:

    One scene shows a man and woman in skimpy costumes, presumably engaged in foreplay. Multiple references to sex and sexual attraction. A man confesses that he lied to his girlfriend so she'd sleep with him.
  • Language:

    Occasional use of words like "bitch," "ass," "damn," and "hell."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink beer and wine in several scenes. An elderly woman is cast as a heavy drinker; in one scene, she recklessly backs her car into a tree. One brief scene shows a woman smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Holiday in Handcuffs

Parents need to know that the main character kidnaps a man at gunpoint and takes him hostage in her car, but the seriousness of the situation (and the absence of realistic repercussions) is offset by the obviously comic tone. A few other scenes involve guns being drawn and aimed, but also in a comedic context. Other iffy stuff includes intermittent strong language (multiple uses of "bitch," as well as "damn" and "ass"), scenes with social drinking (in one, a seemingly drunk elderly woman recklessly backs her car into a tree), a handful of references to sexual activity. But none of this is likely to be new (or particularly shocking) to older tweens and teens.

Read our full review by Emily Ashby

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's implied messages. Is it ever OK to make light of serious issues like crime and drinking too much? Why do comedies rarely show the guilty party facing repercussions for misguided actions? Do their intentions matter? Why or why not? And do you think all viewers can grasp the humor in situations like these, or would anyone take them literally? Could that be harmful? How?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 3.0

    I was very disapointed that this was another attempt to aim a Christmas movie at younger viewers and have issues that they are not ready to handle. For the Family Channel it was surprising. I think they could have made this a very good film for the whole family without all the sexual overtones that is had. Parents should be warned that this is a movie with topics that need to be discussed openly.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    ok...

    it was ok....just ok....<(.n.n.)>k

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    BS

    THIS WAS DUMB, BORING, AND CLICHE.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    I enjoyed it. But wouldn't allow my kids to see it

    I personally enjoyed the movie. I have been a fan of Melissa Joan Hart & Mario Lopez since I was a teen so it was fun to see them in a movie together. My 11yr old asked if she could watch it but I decided against it. The fact that a girl is kidnapping a guy, it had a little bit of sex talk in it and the drinking wasn't something I wanted her to see. If she was a little older though it would be ok as long as we talked a bit afterwards.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Parents beware: not exactly FAMILY movie

    I watched HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS with my 15 year old and found it to be a cute, romantic comedy. HOWEVER, I was very disappointed in the PG rating for this FAMILY MOVIE... something just doesn't add up. There were several NON-family lines and scenes ('because we hadn't slept together yet"... "bitchitus"... police bust in on couple in sexual play w/ man wrapped in a bow , .... "fantasy for our once a year birthday sex"... ETC.). I feel very strongly that if you are going to plug a movie as a FAMILY MOVIE, that gratuitious cursing, inuendo and blatantly NON-famiy scenes just really don't need to be included. I will not let my 12 year old watch this - what otherwise would be a great little movie - due to the lack of consdieration for what it means to be FAMILY / PG scenes & verbage. PLEASE keep this in mind for younger viewers.

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 1.0

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