 | 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. |
Middle Men
- Review Date: August 1, 2010
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
History of the Internet porn industry; not for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Middle Men -- a fictional history of the Internet porn industry -- is filled with naked women (mostly topless), sexual imagery, and sex talk, as well as tons of foul language and overindulgence in drugs, booze, and cigarettes. It tries to establish a theme about the importance of family, but it's really more of a wealth fantasy and a celebration of people who are crafty enough to get rich. In other words, it may be interesting and well-made, but it's not age appropriate for anyone who's not mature -- physically or emotionally.
What's the story?
Two drug-addled ne'er-do-wells (Giovanni Ribisi and Gabriel Macht) accidentally invent the Internet porn industry by developing a way to perform credit card transactions online and then charging $10 for a look at some dirty pictures. Their business explodes, and they wind up striking a deal with a Russian mobster (Rade Serbedzija) for more images. A sleazy lawyer (James Caan) gets involved, causing more trouble. When the deal goes bad, "middle man" Jack Harris (Luke Wilson) is called in. He plans to set things right, make some money, and return home to his wife and kids. But an unexpected violent incident -- as well as the constant lure of money and glamour -- causes Jack to get stuck. Can he get out before the other shoe drops?
Is it any good?
Written and directed by George Gallo, MIDDLE MEN spins one heck of a yarn, so crazy it must be true. Even so, it cheats a few details and simplifies a few things, such as making it look as if these characters are in charge of the entire Internet porn industry. Viewers looking for facts and specifics will be disappointed, but viewers looking for a good story will be hooked.
Gallo does a fine job of keeping things off kilter, using his large cast of characters like chess pieces, constantly attacking and under attack throughout. The movie plants Jack as the moral center, using his narration as a commentary on all the sleazy events and keeping him focused on the eventual goal of returning to his family. But the real draw here is the seductive power of quick wealth, easy sex, and limitless glamour. This could be a flaw in the movie's makeup, but it's a powerful one.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie depicts sex. Is it realistic? Does it address the consequences of the actions it shows?
Jack likes to claim that he's no more a pornographer than a hotel owner. But is what he's doing right, wrong, or somewhere in between?
How does the movie portray the porn industry? Do you think the "glamour" that seduces Jack is accurate?
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Kid, 12 years old
August 16, 2010
AGE
Oh gosh, this sounds horrible. This movie should be rated X. I've never seen it, or heard of it, but I can see why it's rated "Not for kids".
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AGE
very educational
great movie! very educational and funny. my son loved it!
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| Studio: | Paramount Vantage |
| Director: | George Gallo |
| Cast: | Giovanni Ribisi, James Caan, Luke Wilson |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 6, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | February 8, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong sexual content, nudity, language, drug use and violence |
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