 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Jumping the Broom
- Review Date: May 3, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Sweet, funny wedding comedy is a good parent-and-teen pick.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this wedding comedy was produced by evangelical preacher TD Jakes. It includes some kissing and discussion of premarital sex/celibacy, but at heart it's an uplifting story about the importance of love, family, and tradition. There are a couple of shots of characters (both male and female) in their underwear, but the action is limited to a few sexy smooches. Language is mild for a PG-13 film, and there's no violence outside of a football match that leaves the groom flat on his back. Some of the issues -- classism within the African-American community, mothers who hate every woman their son brings home, teen mothers forced to give away their babies -- are a bit mature for younger audiences, but the movie could prompt discussion about romantic and family relationships.
What's the story?
Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) is a wealthy New York City attorney from a socially prominent family. After vowing to abstain from sex if God will show her the man she's supposed to be with, she literally crashes into attractive investment banker Jason Taylor (Laz Alonzo), who's successful but from a modest, working-class family. The two have a whirlwind five-month courtship and decide to get married with only a month's notice in order to accommodate Sabrina's upcoming job transfer to China. The wedding weekend, held at Sabrina's family's Martha's Vineyard estate, is the first time that Jason's devout-but-overbearing mother (Loretta Devine) meets both Sabrina and her elegant, haughty mother (Angela Bassett). As the clans clash over everything from food and clothes to wedding traditions like JUMPING THE BROOM, family secrets come to light that may threaten the nuptials.
Is it any good?
For his theatrical debut, director Salim Akil has assembled an impressive cast to outperform Tyler Perry at his own formula: combining faith and humor in an inspiring tale about African-American families. Strong performances and a surprisingly witty script make this wedding comedy charming, even when characters are obviously pleading to God or quoting the Bible because the movie was produced by popular evangelical pastor TD Jakes (who makes a cameo as Sabrina's family minister). That said, the story isn't overburdened with preachiness. Sabrina and Jason's abstinence is lightheartedly mocked -- in one refreshingly humorous scene, her aunt even sings "Sexual Healing" at the rehearsal dinner.
Because they're played by Bassett and Devine, it's no surprise that the mothers steal the show. But the attractive leads share a believable chemistry, and the supporting characters are all up to par as well. Meagan Good is beautifully snobby as the WASPily named bridesmaid Blythe; Mike Epps manages to tone down his over-the-top persona as Jason's uncle; old-school CSI fans will delight in the hunky Gary Dourdan popping up as the handsome catering chef; and Julie Bowen gamely plays the wedding planner who's not sure what is or isn't racist to ask and observe. Although some of the family drama borders on melodrama, this is one romantic comedy actually worth seeing.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's message about romantic and family relationships. Does a couple need to share a similar background to have a successful relationship?
How does this movie compare to other wedding comedies? Does it send any positive or negative messages about weddings and/or marriage? Why do so many wedding movies focus on the big day rather than what comes after?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Lots of fun made at waiting for sexual intimacy before marriage. References made about male self gratification.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I was not as comfortable with this as I was lead to believe...
I watched this movie with my 60 year old mother and 11 year old daughter. Overall this movie was fine--typical wedding movie fluff with no real substance, but entertaining to watch. After reading the CS review I felt like it was ok for my daughter as many of the things would go over her head. What was not mentioned were a few major things that made me feel very uncomfortable and should have been elaborated on by CS. In the scene where Sabrina is shown in her bra and panties there is a VERY passionate kiss with her obviously trying not to have sex with her fiancé and she jumps on him and wraps her legs around him. In addition, after this she notices that he has an erection and they talk in code about “it” and why he was not able to control it while continually looking down at his pants. It is pretty obvious what they are talking about. In addition, when the caterer and a bridesmaid kiss and are caught in their lingerie and underwear there is a lot of “erotic” eating of food and the kissing is very passionate. There is A LOT of mentioning about the fact that Jason has waited 6 months to have sex and how he has been handling it. He mentions that he has been using a lot of “medicated Vaseline and baby oil”. Also, during his very chaste bachelor party his cousin mentions that at a “real” bachelor party there would be strippers sitting on your lap and he does a hand gesture as if he were holding a woman’s hips and bouncing her on his crotch. Lastly one character loudly mentions that she is a transvestite. The sexual situations in this move were played very sexual in instead of funny in most cases and I was uncomfortable. I would agree with CS that this is for kids 13 and up, but they should have provide more information to allow parents to determine if there is any flexibility on their review.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
ok for teens
I kind of liked this movie this was kind of werid, but had its good moments the end schocked me this movie has some drinking, and sexaul martial, but otherwise nothing that bad.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Nothing sweet about it
This movie is inappropriate for 13. How can you recommend this as a sweet parent teen pic? It opens with a the lead character in a bra lamenting her promiscuity. Continues with partially dressed, long smooch scenes and offers baby oil masterbation jokes as humor. On top of that it was painfully boring. I've grown to trust this site but now I'm not so sure.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
jumping into stardom
This is a great movie with faith and it looks like tyler perry directs
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Excellent
Stop reading so much into this movie if you weren't looking for sex you would not have found. Well Done!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
March 16, 2012
AGE
Funny But Not For Under 12
I agree with common sense media! It very innapropiate during some moments! There is some social drinking between adults!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Disappointing...
My 16 year old son and I rented this movie with the hopes of a funny and enjoyable movie. He (not me) ended up turning it off about half way through because it was not that funny and frankly slapped family values in the face. If there was any reason to watch this movie with your teenager, it would be an example of how not to develop and handle relationships. Very disappointing movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
January 31, 2012
AGE
Funny movie
This movie is so funny! there is not language but lots and lots of sexual behavior but other than that this movie is ok for kids 12 up
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Salim Akil |
| Cast: | Angela Bassett, Laz Alonzo, Loretta Devine, Paula Patton |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 109 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 6, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | August 9, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some sexual content |
Review It
Video review
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
