Knocked Up (R, 2007)

common sense media says

Raunchy but tender comedy about sex & parenthood.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, this comedy earns its R rating with drug use, strong language (it's constant, particularly "f--k"), nudity, and nonstop explicit conversations about sex. Naturally, most teenagers will want to see it, especially if they saw Virgin. But be advised -- the main character and his roommates spend nearly all of their time high on marijuana, and the physiological aspects of pregnancy -- from conception to crowning -- are front and center. (On the bright side, after watching all of that, it's a good bet that teens will be much less likely to risk having unprotected sex and may even appreciate what their mothers went through to give birth...)

Positive messages: Yes, there's unprotected sex and rampant drug use, but the consequences of both are made very apparent. Ben and Alison not only decide to have their baby but also to really get to know each other for the child's sake.
Positive role models: Ben is far from a role model at the beginning of the film; Alison, whilst more mature, still engages in risky and foolish behavior. They do eventually grow together in order to "do the right thing", but the funniest part is watching them get there. They are hilarious to watch, but best look to them for guidance.
Violence: Some pushing and shoving.
Sex: Fairly graphic sex scenes -- not in terms of nudity (although Rogen's bare butt is visible), but in the positions and conversation depicted. Everyone discusses sex, whether it's a married couple casually discussing whether to have it or a group of guys debating whether Ben's gonna get some, etc. There's also a realistic representation of pregnancy that includes a woman's hormonal shifts and sexual needs. At the end, there's an almost documentary-style childbirth scene. There's even movie-within-a-movie nudity (Ben's job is to record whenever an actress gets naked on screen). A couple of fairly brief topless scenes (including one graphic-but-funny lap-dance sequence).
Language: Lots and lots of cursing -- think Tarantino levels but in a funnier context: F-bombs galore (plus all the other "standards"); the "c" word; various euphemisms for sex and genitalia; colorful insults.
Consumerism: E! Entertainment Television, Ryan Seacrest, Spider-Man 3.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Ubiquitous marijuana use and pot paraphernalia among Ben and his friends. Ben and Pete do mushrooms and hallucinate. Alison and Ben get incredibly drunk before their one-night stand. Clubgoers are shown drinking.

More on Knocked Up

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the consequences of having sex -- including pregnancy and parenthood.

  • How do movies and TV shows usually depict unplanned pregnancy? How is this movie different?

  • Does the fact that it's a comedy make the issues seem less serious?

  • Do you think Alison and Ben made the right decisions? Why or why not?

  • Families can also discuss the "return" of the R-rated comedy. Do the raunchy bits make movies like this funnier, or do they go overboard?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Judd Apatow -- the mastermind behind 2005's summer smash The 40-Year-Old Virgin is back with KNOCKED UP, another raunchy-but-sweet story that's not for the easily offended. Seth Rogen plays Ben Stone, a 23-year-old living off his meager savings account who spends his days smoking weed with his layabout buddies. Their one ambition besides getting high is to start an online database that provides exhaustively researched time code stamps for actresses' movie nude scenes. One wild and crazy night, Ben gets very lucky at a club. Gorgeous Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) is celebrating her recent promotion and, after many shots, is willing to do the deed with slouchy Ben. Two months later, Alison discovers that she's pregnant. Instead of opting out of the pregnancy -- as many might expect them to do -- Alison and Ben start dating while searching for an OB, dealing with morning sickness, and trying to ignore his friends' stupid comments (a la "I see the milk's come in").

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

In lesser hands, Knocked Up could have devolved into a clichéd odd-couple farce. But with Apatow at the helm it becomes a genuine, realistic depiction of how two very different people learn to be a couple for the sake of their unborn child. Sure, there are hilariously graphic sex scenes ("The baby just kicked me, he's angry") and countless pot gags (you may get a contact high just watching those guys), but there's also an underlying message about truly facing adulthood.

As Alison's sister and brother-in-law, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd (also Apatow regulars, and, in Mann's case, his wife) are terrifically matched as a hip couple with kids who are facing their own Oprah-fied brand of marriage problems. Their domestic banter -- "Wanna have sex?"/"Ugggh. I'm awful. I'm constipated. You really want to?" -- is funny, as they say, because it's true. If the idea of ubiquitous foul language (particularly "f--k"), sex talk, and marijuana references -- not to mention a, let's say, documentary-style portrayal of childbirth -- isn't your cup of tea, Knocked Up may not be a wise choice. But if you can enjoy (or at least see past) the raunch, you'll be richly rewarded with a tender homage to growing up, falling in love, and becoming a parent -- just not necessarily in that order.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Judd Apatow
Cast: Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 129 minutes
Theatrical release: May 31, 2007
DVD release: September 25, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sexual content, drug use and language.
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15

Most useful reviews by all members

Cock Face
kid, 13 years old
 

 
Funny and gives a lesson.

 
They already know
Anyone who expected a movie with Seth Rogen in it about getting pregnant unintentionally was going to be happy go lucky shouldn't have seen it. This was a really great movie and was terrific about dealing with unplanned pregnancy. People will say that younger kids shouldn't see it but realize that most kids above the age of 12 swear on a daily basis and most kids above the age of 14 know someone who smokes pot, if they don't themselves.

bdunn98
teen, 16 years old
 
Bad for kids but good movie
it's ok there is sex though if you think your kid is mature enough i say ages 10 and up.

SecretAgentPalin
teen, 15 years old
 
Not a movie a teen would want to watch with their parents.
This movie was very funny and turned out to be really good. But, there's a good a amount of bad language, drugs, and sex.

Mr581
teen, 18 years old
 
sexually graphic

Lovett
adult
 
Raunchy movie with heart of gold.
This movie is very good and very funny.Despite The raunchy sexual content the story actually has heart and is really sweet when it comes down to it.It should be fine for any teen older than 15.

browneyes_haze ...
teen, 18 years old
 
hazeleyes-browneyes
yea that movie is awsome and funny and the guy and the girl that plays it is funny and it makes me laugh so bye

 
e.g. You should think twice before going with a tween!
i liked this movie

mango.grl
teen, 16 years old
 
Great Movie
I really liked this movie. It was a humorous film, and at the same time had a good ending. It was just a fun movie to watch. I think it's on for ages 13+, if the kid is mature, because this movie has a lot of swear words, a lot of drug use, and the movie is very sexual. The drug use in this movie is just about the worst it can get. If the teens are mature enough though, they will know that this is just Hollywood and it's not an ideal situation. It's a very fun movie in my opinion though. The two main characters talk a lot about what is going to happen with the baby, and he becomes more mature towards the end of the film. I really liked it.

bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
 
Good Movie
(Saw Unrated Version)This was tamer then i thought. There is way to much sexuality to mention (only 2 sex scenes). There is some nudity, female topless (strip club, website making/on tv). and seth rogens butt. There is very strong language, mainly every word. Rogen and friends do drugs

silly_samsters
teen, 17 years old
 
AWSOME
This movie is really good and funny

marietrowbridge
educator and parent of and 8 , 11 , 16 year old
 
it was an ok movie. wouldnt watch it again


kid, 12 years old
 
Perfect for adults by age 17 and older.
There is alot of explicit sex, and the language is totally incessant and exceptionally colorful and vivid. This is always perfect for adults only... because of the humor, please don't let your teenagers and children NEVER watch this at all... it shows alot of adult humor... that's all (of course).


teen, 14 years old
 
Perfect for adults by age 17 and older.
There is alot of explicit sex, and the language is totally incessant and exceptionally colorful and vivid. This is always perfect for adults only... because of the humor, please don't let your teenagers and children NEVER watch this at all... it shows alot of adult humor... that's all (of course).


kid, 11 years old
 
Perfect for adults by age 17 and older.
There is alot of explicit sex, and the language is totally incessant and exceptionally colorful and vivid. This is always perfect for adults only... because of the humor, please don't let your teenagers and children NEVER watch this at all... it shows alot of adult humor... that's all (of course).

 

georgia.
teen, 14 years old
 
OK!
A good film, some funny moments but a few sex scenes.

greenbutterfly616
teen, 16 years old
 

gerry1
adult
 
its a good movie but not really for kids you will crack up

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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