Parents need to know that this predictably sweet romantic comedy, which will likely attract teen fans of star Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy), is an escapist, lightweight confection. While there aren't too many edges to the story -- no outright nudity, no raunchy sex romps, no bitter diatribes against men (or women) -- there's definitely some iffy stuff. Tom is clearly a player (though he's up front about his commitment issues with women, and they seem to like him anyway), marriage is lightly mocked, and a geeky character is made fun of time and time again. Characters also let loose with innuendoes and a few salty swear words here and there, there's a fair amount of drinking in social situations, and some products are pretty noticeable.
Positive messages:A man sleeps with women but won't commit to them, though he's clear about his priorities with them. He realizes that he's in love with his best friend and makes an effort to win her heart, though it requires breaking her fiancé's heart and some deceit. There's some harsh mocking of a supporting character who appears to be very nerdy. Overall though, the movie has tons of heart.
Positive role models:Tom begins as a womanizing with a (deep-down) heart of gold. His romantic epiphany takes him on an adventure to another country, and helps him to realize the real things that are important in relationships.
Violence:A tearful argument; a punch is thrown at a key moment. Otherwise, just some competition between two men over a woman.
Sex:Some scenes of men and women in bed, but no outright nudity (guys in boxers, for example); sexual innuendoes about positions, etc.; a few deep kisses between two people falling in love; one scene in which men stare at another man in the locker room shower, implying that he's well-endowed; a woman tries on revealing lingerie and shows it off to a man.
Language:Fairly salty, but not too frequent: "s--t," "dick," "a--hole," "bitch," and "p---y."
Consumerism:Signage for various New York City spots, including Figaro Cafe, Dean and DeLuca, Jerry's, and The Met. Mentions of Splenda, McMurray whiskey, Cornell, Lowry Seasoning, and Starbucks. Tom is the inventor of the cardboard cup holder found in many cafes, a fact mentioned and shown many times in the movie.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:Lots of drinking in social situations, many close-up shots of whiskey while in Scotland (where locals seem to down glasses of it like water). An inebriated woman throws up at a party.
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Don't let your teen daughter trick you into this one!
As a 35 y/o woman (who happens to really like Patrick Dempsey!) I thought this was a typically funny chick flick. As a mom of a 13 y/o who wanted to see it on her b'day w/friends - NO WAY! Yes the kids may know about sex at early teen years, but why feed it to them? I do not condone premarital sex - especially when there's plenty of it! No, you don't see it (well, sort of) but you know what's going on in his life. Been awhile since seeing it, but I'm sure there were definitive moments. Girls are growing up too fast, and its because we parents/adults are allowing them to. Hollywood won't raise my child. I will.
The sexual overtones of this movie were appauling to me. Great adult film, but when sex toys are introduced in a PG-13 movie, I have to wonder who they are catering to really. I took an 18 year old to see this, and I was embarassed to say the least.
I didn't like the humor at all. unless you count it was funny. COMPLETELY not for kids. I'd say a good 15+. I only watched this because my mom thinks patrick is a good actor. DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. It has some heavy drinking and in one scene violence and swearing.
Completely enjoyed the film. We were looking for light-hearted comedy and this film delivered. Yes, Dempsey's character is a complete pig. I gathered that was the point. His character changes and the ending was enjoyable. The supporting cast was fun to watch, also. The scenes shot in Scotland were excellent. Good chemistry all around.
A waste of time and money and what a disappointment. I took my 13 year old daughters and their friends and was tempted to walk out so many times because of the vulgarity and crudity. I wish I would have!
LOVE IT! some bad stuff but it's not like it shows anything. the language is what's in pretty much every movie. the story is so sweet though and at the end it all works out!
Tom doesn't seem like a good character to me. It's interesting how a male character is described as a lovable womanizer, and if a female character acted the same way, she would likely be criticized as a tramp...Lots of swearing and sex in this movie. The N word is heard like 10 times in a song. Not my choice of movie.
My whole family saw this a little before it came out in theaters (we had special sneak preview tickets we got in the mail) and I thought it was HILARIOUS. Both my parents didn't think it was funny and they both hated that my 10 year-old sister saw it. So no, it's not appropriate for kids under 13. I recommend it for anyone over 13 who likes kind of dirty humor.
Tanya Fomenko
31.01.2009
Intensive English
Mr. Stoltman
Film review
Name of film: Maid of Honor;
Casting; Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan;
Type of film: comedy;
Plot summary:
Charming Tom is a womanizer who has a different girl every night but at the same time he has an old good friend Hannah. Since they were in university she knows literally everything about his life, girls, and adventures. When Hannah goes to Scotland for a business trip for 6 weeks, Tom understands that he can not live without her (loves her). Coming back, Hannah tells to Tom, that she is engaged with ideal Scottish man, whose name is Colin, and they love each other. At the meeting, future bride proposes Tom to be a Maid of Honor at her wedding, and Tom agrees because he needs to steal Hannah and make her a proposition to marry him. The Maid will try his best to go to his aim!
In this movie Dempsey’s character was joggling plates in the shop. The filmmakers spent $500 to teach Patrick how to joggle. While studying, 357 plates were crashed, 7 people got 23 cuts, 1 chair was broken, and 0 people were in the good mood, except Dempsey.
You cannot miss this movie because of its humor, modern romantic and nice plot. It can’t get any better! Enjoy!
Took two fifth graders and should have walked out much sooner !
This was much more explicit than Hairspray or Sydney
White, which also were rated PG-13 by Common Sense. After reading the review I expected it to be
about that level of "iffy".... Ok for some 11 year olds, but not others. What the review should have included in the "parents should know" section:
There are a lot of bedroom scenes and even though
there is not a lot of graphic behavior there is a lot more going on than in a movie like Hairspray, and the movie spends a lot of time on this theme. In Hairspray a lot of the innuendo gets caught by adults and missed by tweens...This is much more
explicit language and more often. I had a gut feeling to walk out after about ten minutes, but kept thinking it couldn't get worse. It did. We
were discussing leaving after the wedding shower
entertainment turned out to be a woman with sex
toys but before we had a chance the main character
was shown in lingerie with a whip and that's when
I said, We are outta here" and apologized to both
girls that the review had been misleading.
If you have anyone under the age of 17, know that there are scenes of not only inuendo, but outright inappropriate activity and views of very "Adult" topics for PG-13. If you do not expect to see a bridal shower where adult toys are discussed and shown, other men are commenting on anothers endowment, and you do not want your minor children to be exposed to sexual topics not appropriate to their age, then stay away from this movie.
The movie is great! It is so funny and one of the best movies I have ever seen! It is innapropiate for kids 12 and under, but for teens and adults it is a great movie!
Not a love story - too much crude/inappropriate sexual humor
Another example of a movie that is a waste of time and money as well as a movie that appears to be innocent on the outside with a love story setting, but is actually not a love story. It is focused more on crude sexual humor. A real man would not take a lady to this movie. Too bad a lot of movies like this one can't feature an actor that actually is respectful and knows how to treat a woman.
I would not recommend this movie for children, but for reasonable and mature women who go to movies to be entertained rather than to develop their value system -- I think it's a winner. Predictable?...yes, but even moreso a good laugh. I am a Christian and although I would not emmulate the choices made by characters in the movie, that didn't keep me from laughing. I enjoyed it and will see it again with a friend who was disappointed to miss it. Lots to
chuckle over even after the film ended. A good source for some great conversations.