 | 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. |
Monster-in-Law
- Review Date: August 25, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Predictable romantic comedy lacks kid appeal.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film includes some loud displays of drunkenness and physical violence, framed as comedy (including Jane Fonda slamming Jennifer Lopez's head onto a table). Though the tone is mostly light, the jokes become repetitive: Fonda and Lopez spar while vapid son/fiancé Michael Vartan stands by (or at one point actually disappears for a medical convention, being a doctor). Characters drink, smoke, and make snide remarks to and about one another.
What's the story?
Having survived a series of husbands and a grueling globe-trotting career, self-loving celebrity interviewer Viola Fields (Jane Fonda) finally makes it to the top only to be fired and replaced by a younger version of herself. She suffers a "breakdown," and is shipped off to a clinic to recuperate. On her return home, she learns that her doctor son Kevin (Michael Vartan) is going to "marry a temp," namely, sensible, Kewpie-doll-voiced, proud-of-her-booty Charlie (Jennifer Lopez). Though Viola schemes to win back her son's attention by abusing Charlie to the point that she's run away, the women are actually well-matched. Because Charlie is here playing the nice, non-diva J-Lo, she doesn't fight back until it's absolutely plain Viola's been deceiving everyone in order to Get Her Way.
Is it any good?
It's clear that the women in MONSTER-IN-LAW are doomed to repeat their learned, bad behavior indefinitely. What's most disturbing about the movie is not the familiar formula, but the fact that classy Fonda is stooping to it. What's most interesting is the film's use of both "transgressive" women -- Fonda and Lopez -- as they form a continuum of ambition, success, and widely broadcast implosions and meltdowns.
But the film's liveliest element is Viola's long-suffering assistant Ruby (Wanda Sykes), a wisecracking sidekick who speaks just enough truth to seem funny, but not enough to lose her job. The fact that she's black, surrounded, particularly at Viola's mansion, by literal and metaphorical whiteness, only underlines her welcome distinctiveness and her caricature-ish wisdom.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the jealousy and silly fighting between the two primary women. Why do women (in movies) compete over a man's attention? How does the movie make their insecurities into jokes? How might the mother and son develop better communication?
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AGE
So funny
This is one of the funniest movie I have seen all year. Everyone I have talked to about this movie does not see what it is about it I find so funny, but I loved it. I saw it twice in the theaters, because I enjoyed it so much the first time through. True, if you are looking for a movie with a good message or something inspiring, this is not the best choice. If you are just looking to see a good, funny movie, this would be a good choice.
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AGE
so funny. but what was Jane thinking?
Love Jane fonda. And it made me giggle and even slap a thigh or two. A great time waster but you could do worse. dont bring your little ones. I did go with a 15 yr old girl who also laughed out loud at inappropriate humor. younger than that...i don't think so.
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AGE
Feel good movie
So it's your typical J-Lo movie, but honestly.. who doesn't need a feel good movie once in a while? It's a movie to watch if your looking for a thinker!
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AGE
not for small kids
it was funny, i cant remember any sexual content, there was some language and some drinking, recomended for kids 13+
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Funny
I'm not into romance at all, but this movie was very good. Not sappy or mushy. There is no sex, but there are some references. But this movie it ok for 13 and up.
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AGE
It was ok
Charlie is in the bath in a scene talking to Kevin on the phone telling him she wishes he were her with her while she's naked the word s**t is used voila is hit with a frying pan. Both girls strike out at each other.voila almost killed Charlie. Voila drinks alot
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AGE
A little iffy stuff, but tweens and teens will probably like it!
This movie was actually really funny! It was basically about a dog walker/ receptionist/ server named Charlie who meets a cute young doctor named Kevin, who is the son of the famous celebrity interviewer Viola Fields. As you'd expect, they fall in love, and Kevin wants to take the next big step; having Charlie meet his diva-esque mother . . . They seem to be getting along great, but when Kevin pops the question, Viola declares war on Charlie, and the two slapstick prank each other to no end. This movie does have some good messages, like love between two people is what should matter, not society and class, and that marrige is an important bond that Viola ends up respecting with a little help from her mom, Gertrude. It does deal with some important issues that everyone may not agree on though, like implied pre-marital sex, and things like tarot cards and such that many relegions don't respect. I'd recommend screening it before hand, but Monster-In-Law is a movie tweens and teens will most likely love!
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Robert Luketic |
| Cast: | Jane Fonda, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Vartan |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 95 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 13, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | August 30, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sex references and language |
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