 | 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. |
Monte Carlo
- Review Date: July 1, 2011
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Silly but sweet travel comedy says to be true to yourself.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Selena Gomez movie is a "chick flick lite," with as much dating and finding yourself as most made-for-TV movies on Disney or Nickelodeon. More eyebrow-raising than the mild language ("ass," "stupid," "frak") and romance (just a few short-and-sweet kisses) is the product placement, which includes luxury brands like Bulgari jewelry; Oscar de la Renta gowns, and Gucci, Chanel, and Mercedes Benz products/labels. Although the girls obviously do something criminal by impersonating a rich look-alike, the movie's overall lesson is still tied to Gandhi's famous quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
What's the story?
Grace (Selena Gomez) has been saving for a post-graduation trip to Paris all through high school. But when the moment arrives to take off with her older best friend, Emma (Katie Cassidy), Grace's parents announce that her estranged step-sister, Meg (Leighton Meester), must join the duo on their vacation. When their over-scheduled tour group leaves the trio behind, the rain-soaked girls seek temporary refuge in a luxury hotel's loo. They overhear a caustic young British heiress named Cordelia Winthrop Scott (also Gomez) talk about jetting off to Spain instead of attending a charity event. After the hotel staff mistakes Grace for Cordelia, the American girls find themselves on an all-expenses-paid trip to Monaco. Once they arrive, Grace-as-Cordelia meets Theo (Pierre Boulanger), the handsome heir of a philanthropic family who's in charge of escorting her around MONTE CARLO.
Is it any good?
This is one of those sugary sweet cinematic trifles that could be shown on television without any major edits. There's no overt sexuality, language, or violence -- just three young women getting to play dress up in the fabulously wealthy principality of Monaco. The dramatic tension is more about self-reflection than any external force; once you believe that Grace could impersonate Cordelia in this age of heightened security, it's easy to trust that the trio won't fall into the hands of the police, so you can just sit back and enjoy their sight-seeing and fashion displays.
Emma needs to see that money won't bring happiness -- and that her steadfast fiance, Owen (Glee star Cory Monteith), will. Meg just has to take some risks and have some fun, which involves going on an epic date with Riley (Luke Bracey), a hunky Aussie with wanderlust. And, of course, Grace needs to confess to Theo that he's smitten with a "regular American girl," not an aristocratic Brit. It's all predictably uplifting and sweet and will make young girls across America want to visit the City of Lights in hopes of their own romantic, life-affirming adventures.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the appeal of mistaken-identity/character-swapping movies. Do we all sometimes wish we could pretend to be someone else? Why? What makes someone else's life seem more desirable?
Does this movie make you wish you had fancier/more expensive things? Is that the intent? How does media influence what audiences want?
Like a modern-day fairy tale, the girls are all given their very own "prince." Was it necessary for each of the characters to have her own romantic storyline? What kind of message does that send to teens, especially girls?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 13 years old
July 27, 2011
AGE
Sweet, Romantic Chick-Flick for Young Girls!
Aww this is just such a cute movie! But in my opinion, it's only meant for tweens and teens, no young 8 year old girls. I went and saw this with my friend today because I am such a Selena fan! She was fabulous and admirable in this movie. The movie shows great responsibility when it comes to being an adult and that anything is possible as long as you stick to it. There are quite a few kissing scenes, but they're light and just pecks. This is THE must-see movie for girls if they're looking for that one light chick-flick/happy-ever-after kind of ending to a movie. (: LOVED IT! <3<3
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Kid, 10 years old
July 25, 2011
AGE
Good but...
Some language but overall a good movie
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Parent of 11 and 13 year old
July 18, 2011
AGE
Perfect Tween/teen mistaken identity adventure romp!
Monte Carlo is a charming tween/teen movie! It is a fun, mistaken identity movie about 3 girls who start off not necessarily liking each other. They grow to accept each other during the course of the movie and each has their own different happy ending.
The best part of this movie is NO SWEARING, NO NUDITY, NO SEXUAL SCENES or INNUDENOS, NO SMOKING, DRINKING or DRUGS!!!!! This is what movies are supposed to be about for this tween/early teen age -- fun, adventure, foreign places, and some life lessons!
Perfect for the tween/teen set (and me too) and I wish there were more movies like this with today's stars!
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Teen, 14 years old
July 3, 2011
AGE
Sweet, mostly clean film for girls
This was a very nice, heartwarming film about finding yourself. Probably the worst thing in the film was Meg using the a-word, but other than that, it was pretty safe! Even with all the romance it never went any farther than a few sweet kisses. It's definitely a chick-flick, and mainly focuses on the girls' relationships, so some younger kids might not find it very interesting. Recommended for tween and teen girls, but OK for kids a little younger. :)
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Teen, 16 years old
July 2, 2011
AGE
It's ok...just ok, predictable though.
My cousins dragged me to see this annoying chick flick today and let me say it's not as childish as I thought it would be mild use of ad language e.g, ass, crap, hoochie. The girls all fall in love, even though Emma isn't the best role model she was probably more of a role model then Meg who until the end is uptight and boring. It's a very predictable movie and I don't recommend it.
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Kid, 10 years old
July 1, 2011
AGE
Awesome
I just saw this movie today, and it I LOVED it. There was one use when Meg said this tour is a**, and Emma gestures to Meg "Kiss my a**!" Overall Emma isn't a very good role modle, she gets the other girls into a problem and at one point doesn't have a steady relationship, she goes on a date and dances with another man. Meg is a good role modle most of the time, she knows were to stop and when she will get caught. Grace is probably the most normal girl. She has fun and sometimes it gets her into trouble, SPOILER yet she comes clean about her crime and still works for the charity. I love this movie and I strongly suggest it.
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Teen, 16 years old
July 6, 2011
AGE
good pretty clean movie
theres lots of firting and the girls all have boyfriends, and a little bit of language not bad tho all in all maybe a little liffy for younger kids.
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Teen, 13 years old
July 3, 2011
AGE
Mostly clean movie with good role models
There were really good role models, and yes the girls do do something illegal, but they all at one point or another realize it's wrong and try to fix it. There is quite a few kisses, but all very short and I've seen worse on Disney Channel. As for language, it's very mild with one use of a** and one use of c**p, both used briefly and by Meg, played by Leighton Miesser (I'm pretty sure I spelled her name wrong) It wasn't the best movie, but better than I expected and worth the money if you're looking for something to do on a summer afternoon.
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Adult
July 9, 2011
AGE
Excellent, but...
I took my little sister (11) to see this and we both highly enjoyed it. Monte Carlo was cute and lighthearted, an excellent way to spend a few summer hours. The only issue was after the movie, when my sister asked why Meg went off with Riley, and wasn't that bad? That might also come up for you, I don't know. Overall, a throughly enjoyable movie.
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Teen, 16 years old
July 4, 2011
AGE
Is Monte Carlo really suitable?
I recently went to watch Monte Carlo with my little sister Emily. We both are big Selena Gomez fans & it may have some infrequent language such as: cr*p,a**,j*rk but no eyebrow raising things.The romance in this movie is mild; with some short sweet kisses but nothing over the top. I would say the movie was officially meant for teens & tweens but if you can trust your child & you know wont pick anything up from this movie then I say you can go watch it. I think you could say it is 10-11+ (if you can trust your child that is)or PG. Like i said previously, nothing over the top. Its a good movie (I'm not just saying that because I'm a Selena Gomez fan) & i would recommend it. You'll enjoy :) x
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| Topics: | book characters, friendship |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Thomas Bezucha |
| Cast: | Katie Cassidy, Leighton Meester, Selena Gomez |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 108 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 1, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | October 18, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | brief mild language |
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