License to Wed (PG-13, 2007)

common sense media says

Predictable wedding comedy is all about Williams.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that teen girls -- especially those who are fans of Mandy Moore or The Office star John Krasinski -- will be interested in this romantic comedy. Because the plot revolves around a wacky minister's intense premarital counseling course, there's lots of talk about sexuality, parenting, communicating, and intimacy, but it's all handled in a comedic manner. The reverend's "no sex before the honeymoon" rule is harmlessly discussed and tested in many scenes -- although safe sex isn't discussed specifically. Language is on the mild side but includes "s--t," and "ass." The minister is highly unorthodox and all-too-willing to intrude inappropriately (illegal surveillance, for example) on couples in his class.

Positive messages: Sends the message that if you truly want to marry someone, you'll overcome all your differences (and skip premarital counseling with a crazy minister). Reverend Frank is a very unorthodox (and intrusive) man of the cloth, going so far as to conduct illegal surveillance on the couples in his class.

Violence: Ben gets hit by a baseball while playing catch and ends up with a bloody nose.

Sex: Sadie and Ben make out in bed and are shown right before having sex (she starts to undress him). They kiss and fool around in several scenes but stop short of doing the deed -- as per the reverend's instructions. Ben says he wants to play "pickle me, tickle me." The reverend encourages Sadie and Ben to discuss their likes and dislikes "in bed" with him. Ben's best friend jokes about not "getting any" after you're married. Safe sex isn't addressed specifically.

Language: "S--t," "ass," "jackass," "pissed," "hell," "dammit," etc. One phrase that sounds worse than it is: "What the flock!"

Consumerism: Sandals resort, 1-800-Flowers, Chicago Cubs, Dora the Explorer.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters (all of age) drink wine, beer, and champagne at bars and parties.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how romantic comedies typically depict engaged couples and weddings. Is the depiction at all realistic? Do you think a realistic look at a wedding would be as funny? What do you think of Robin Williams' portrayal of a clergyman? Do you prefer him in comedies or dramas?

What's the story?

Ben (John Krasinski) and Sadie (Mandy Moore) become engaged, and in order to get married at Sadie's family's church, must pass Reverend Frank's (Robin Williams) ludicrously long and intrusive premarital counseling course.

Is it any good?

The course's loopy group tests are predictable but funny, particularly those featuring a buffoonish groom-to-be played by fellow Office worker Brian Baumgartner. But its ludicrous that any respectable clergyman would become a crazy voyeur before every wedding ceremony or that a bride would demand to stay in such an invasive course -- one that actually involves "creepy robot babies" that emit fake bodily fluids -- just to get married in her home church. But this isn't a comedy that thrives on realism.

Moore and Krasinski don't have much to do besides watch Williams riff. They're charming actors, so the romance is believable enough, but License to Wed is basically a fluffy piece of Robin Williams cake. If you enjoy his flavor of comedy, this is an amusing, light flick. But if you're sick of his manic antics, don't bother to RSVP.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Ken Kwapis
Cast: John Krasinski, Mandy Moore, Robin Williams
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: July 3, 2007
DVD release: October 30, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sexual humor and language.

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This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

commonsense1
teen, 18 years old

It was pretty funny.

I liked it. It was a good movie.

Movie Details

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Genre

License to Wed (PG-13, 2007)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on License to Wed

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Watch our review

Review It

Review License to Wed

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

It was pretty funny.

i laughed so much...

sporadic funnyness

awsome

Funny

i laughed

Great Easy Going Comedy

SEXy stuff

ok

Blech...

don't pay to watch it it. avoid if possible

I Lost 6 BRAIN CELLS!!!!!!

It was Alright

John Krasinski <3

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