Illegal Tender

  • Review Date: December 17, 2007
  • R
  • Genre: Thriller
  • 2007
Review

Common Sense Media says

Vengeful gangster violence comes to the 'burbs.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this crime action-thriller about gangsters and drug dealers isn't for kids. It's wildly violent, with frequent bloody shootouts and fights, and it features sexual activity and language and plenty of profanity ("f--k," "s--t," and much more). Since it focuses on a dead dealer's surviving family members as they contend with the many vengeful plots launched by his enemies, the film is structured as a series of violent clashes with dialogue in between -- sort of like a musical, only with noisy gunfire and spurting blood instead of song-and-dance numbers.

  • Positive messages0
    Most of the gangsters and drug dealers are obviously villains, but Will also learns that his mother loved his gangster father; her capacity for violence is based on her desire to protect her two sons. Javier's gang is all bad -- their motives are selfish and their methods ruthless.
  • Violence5
    The film opens with gangsters beating up an old man and continues to get more aggressive in its depictions of injury and death. Violence includes shooting, punching, slapping, kicking, stabbing, and more shooting. The shootouts are loud and feature some slow-motion images that emphasize just how many bullets are fired (lots of missed targets and shot-up walls and windows). Millie keeps an arsenal in her basement; when the bad guys arrive, she has all kinds of fight-back firepower ready. In a flashback scene, a woman commits suicide by taking pills. A climactic murder leaves blood on an important painting (the shot is repeated for emphasis).
  • Sex3
    Women wear lots of tight shirts, short skirts, skimpy underwear, and bikini tops that show cleavage (shots include close-ups and low-angle views from the rear). An early scene (repeated as a flashback) shows a couple having sex, viewed through a gauzy curtain: The naked woman's profiled breasts are visible. Will complains that his mother is seeing too many different men. Will and Ana kiss passionately on several occasions; in one scene, she "dances" provocatively in his car.
  • Language5
    Lots, lots, lots: Many uses of "f--k," plus other profanity: "s--t," a couple of "hells," "damns," and "asses," and "c--k" and "c--ksucker."
  • Consumerism3
    Mentions of various product and corporate names, including Microsoft, Calvin Klein, Marlboro Lights, iPod, and Coca-Cola. A grocery shopping scene shows aisles of products, some prominently displayed (including Special K, Fruit Loops, Doritos).
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Viewers are told repeatedly that Wilson Sr. is a drug dealer (he's not actually shown dealing or doing drugs). Millie's mother has a drink at home; grown-up Millie drinks wine with her boyfriend; bar scenes show background characters drinking and smoking; Will drinks champagne with Choco; a character overdoses on pills to commit suicide in a flashback. Characters smoke cigarettes and handle boxes of cigarettes during conversations (Will does encourage his mother to quit smoking, at least in the kitchen).
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What's the story?

In ILLEGAL TENDER, tough-minded Millie De Leon (Wanda de Jesús) looks after her two sons, Will (Rick Gonzalez) and his half-brother Randy (Antonio Ortiz). Early on, the film underlines the terrible past. As Millie gives birth to Will, Will's drug-dealing father, Wilson Sr. (Manny Perez), is killed by hitwomen of his shadowy associate, Javier (Gary Perez). Millie makes the best of her difficulties, supporting her sons in comfortable style (apparently she's an early Microsoft investor). Their cushy life in the Connecticut suburbs looks to be on course: Will's a recent college grad who makes sure Randy does his homework. But just as 21-year-old Will contemplates moving out, the family's serenity is destroyed.

Is it any good?

 

While Will's basic character arc (innocent boy is redefined by manly violence) is plain enough, it's Millie's trajectory that gives the movie its frankly astounding -- and frequently entertaining -- energy. It's one of those big fat movie moments. While Millie recalls hot Blaxploitation mamas like Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones, she is, at the same time, a literal mama, defending her sons with alarming élan.

Much of the movie is overwrought and then some, featuring over-explanatory dialogue, sluggish pacing, and not one but two climactic trips to Javier's Puerto Rican headquarters. The shooting is incessant, the rage and betrayal predictable, and the outcome is foregone. But Millie -- she's spectacular.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what messages the movie sends about violence. Does it justify any of the characters' use of violence to deal with conflict? If so, do you agree with the movie's position? Why or why not? What's the appeal of violent action thrillers in the first place? Families can also discuss the role that family plays in the movie. Even though Millie's relationship with her sons is based on some serious lies by omission, how does the film celebrate their loyalty and dedication to one another?

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
A great version of a should-have-been spanish movie
I expected less than what I got. The film has 1 not too explicit sex scene, and a lot of violence. I think kids 11 and older that are mature can handle this movie. Its a great film if you're into a great plot of action. Anyways, I hope you enjoy(ed) the film!
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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Studio:Universal Pictures
Director:Franc. Reyes
Cast:Dania Ramirez, Rick Gonzalez, Wanda De Jesus
Genre:Thriller
Run time:108 minutes
Theatrical release date:August 24, 2007
DVD release date:December 18, 2007
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:violence, language and some sexuality.
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 

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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.
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BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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