The Man (PG-13, 2005)

common sense media says

Sad excuse for a movie, not for younger teens.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie features crude humor and ridiculous violence, involving vehicle crashes and physical abuses (trash can lids and phone books slammed into heads, and various other brutalities staged as comedy). The film premises much of its humor on the imbalance between the timid Midwestern salesman and the tough Detroit cop, including repeated discussions of who is whose "bitch" (a term also heard in a hip-hop song on the soundtrack), and other definitions of masculine prowess. The villains -- including an arrogant, young British boss -- are excessively violent as well, shooting a noncompliant client on the toilet. One black character threatens to beat another "like a runaway slave." The film includes brief gross images of bad teeth (during a presentation at a dental appliance convention), dead bodies, bad language (especially combinations of "ass," "shit," and the f-word), and fart/flatulence jokes. Characters smoke and drink, sell drugs.

Positive messages: Cops and criminals are equally obnoxious and violent; film resorts to fart and pee jokes.
Violence: Frequent physical abuses, shooting, car crashing; Andy bites an opponent.
Sex: A couple of cleavage shots, Andy in his boxers, references to homosexual anxieties, and fears of rape in prison.
Language: Repeated uses of "bitch," "ass," and "s--" one f-word, then running joke that alludes to it.
Consumerism: Car named (Coupe de Ville).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink and sell drugs.

More on The Man

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the film's use of rude jokes to get to a seemingly "family-friendly" point. Andy convinces Vann that he needs to pay attention to his young daughter (now living with her mother and stepfather). How does the movie maneuver between cop-buddy themes and PG-13 comedy themes? How do Andy's morality and idealism affect Vann's amorality and cynicism? How does the movie compare criminals and cops, so both look aggressive, self-absorbed, and small-minded?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Dental appliances salesman Andy Fiddler (Eugene Levy) comes to Detroit from Wisconsin for a convention. ATF Agent Derrick Vann (Samuel L. Jackson), whose partner was just killed, is working on a case involving gunrunners, headed by Joey Trent (Luke Goss). When Vann arranges an undercover buy, Fiddler is mistaken for the buyer, and Vann then needs his help on the case.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The time limit on the interracial buddy-cop formula has surely expired. And yet, THE MAN rehashes all the old jokes and inanities, bringing precious little that's entertaining or new.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: New Line
Director: Les Mayfield
Cast: Eugene Levy, Luke Goss, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release: September 9, 2005
DVD release: January 17, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, rude dialogue and some violence.

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

 
I was shocked!
Foe someone to think that this movie was appropriate for a 13 year old is absurd. Foul language! Yes, I'm sure some children(13) have heard these words but the movie was filled with bad language from beginning to end. (Even the "f" word was used numerous times and I thought that was only allowed in "R" movies.)Thnaks for allowing me to share.


kid, 12 years old
 
b*tch, as$ and s*x? what does that mean?


teen, 14 years old
 
b*tch, as$ and s*x? what does that mean?


kid, 11 years old
 
b*tch, as$ and s*x? what does that mean?

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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