Our Family Wedding

  • Review Date: March 11, 2010
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 2010
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Too many stereotypes in this otherwise OK, if bland romcom.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this imperfect, but heartfelt family-friendly film attempts to address a challenging subject: interracial marriage. In doing so, it doesn’t quite steer clear of clichés, but does entertain while at least partly moving the discussion forward. Stereotyping (including making jokes about Latinos' ability to speak English) dilutes what could’ve made this into a thought-provoking comedy about race. There's some swearing (including "s--t"), social drinking (and one scene of drunkeness), and a bit of kissing and groping between adults.

  • Although characters are prejudiced, the movie’s message seems to be one of unity and understanding. Love does conquer all, including, in this case, preconceptions and ethnic stereotypes.
  • What really stands out in this film is the prejudiced behavior of the fathers, both of whom make racist remarks about the other and his family (though all is played for humor). Though in the end, they see the error of their ways, teens might be tempted to imitate some of their behavior in the name of comedy. Also, Lucia is not forthcoming with her parents, and actively shields them from the truth, but her decisions are place into proper context later on. Marcus, meanwhile, is committed to Lucia, but allows himself to be swayed by others’ doubts.
  • Two fathers one-up each other and hurl insults, some of which are racist. A fight breaks out in a bar because a drunk character makes fun of a patron. A man hits a guy with a baseball, on purpose.
  • A couple makes out on a couch and in a car. No nudity, just kissing and groping. A character jokes about a vibrator. Some innuendos and heavy flirting. An older man enjoys dating and seducing younger women. A goat humps a man.
  • Not too much cussing, although the words “puta,” “piss,” and “s--t” come up. A few "Oh, my God"s as exclamations.
  • Some brands are name-checked or displayed: Hallmark, Viagra, Forbes.
  • Social drinking, plus one scene has two main characters getting completely wasted at a nightclub.

What's the story?

Lucia (America Ferrera) and Marcus (Lance Gross) arrive in Los Angeles brimming with excitement: They want to get married right away and better the world overseas as a couple (he with Doctors Without Borders, she by teaching). But snafus pile up immediately, notably an argument that erupts between Lucia’s father, Miguel Ramirez (Carlos Mencia), the owner of a towing company that hauls off a car owned by Marcus’ dad, radio personality Brad Boyd (Forest Whitaker). What’s more, the two families can’t quite get over the fact that each side is a different race and culture. (Lucia is Latina; Marcus is African American.) Can they get to the church without the wedding planning and culture clashes getting in the way?


Is it any good?

 

OUR FAMILY WEDDING is a film you want to like. The actors, notably Mencia and Anjelah Johnson as Lucia’s younger sister, Isabella, bring their A-game; the plot’s got loads of potential. And it lives up to some of its promise with moments steeped in authenticity, as when Lucia’s mother laments how she’s become nearly invisible to her well-meaning husband. The movie, in fact, deals with marital ennui with welcome compassion.

But its potential to offer more wit and insight is squelched by its reliance on stereotypes to get its point across. A typical exchange: Miguel and Brad get under each other’s skins by saying “bro” and “hombre” with disdain. And yes, there are jokes about whether Lucia's relatives understand English. Everyone behaves badly, and in broad, intolerant strokes. Surely, there must’ve been a subtler way to depict the anxieties that arise when two very different families are joined by marriage. Plus, are wayward animals a must now in comedies? A sexed-up goat makes an appearance to add some much-needed zaniness to the proceedings, but it’s no competition for The Hangovers tiger.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about stereotypes. Do you think the film went over the top in its depiction of the culture
    clash that ensues between Lucia’s and Marcus’ relatives? Were some of
    the stereotypical jokes offensive?

  • Talk about the couple’s decision to marry, and how they spring it on their
    respective families. Are their reactions understandable? Why, or why
    not?


This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Parent of 13 and 17 year old
March 15, 2010
 
Totally enjoyed this movie and would take my kids to see it

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Adult
August 12, 2010
 
Our Family Wedding is a boring movie only for your older teens and parents there are some things that you need to know about this movie the movie has some sexual content and there are some strong language used and some social drinking.

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Kid, 13 years old
August 10, 2010
 
I didn't like this movie. It was boring. There were some funny parts but most of it was racist and steryotipical. If somebody loves someone that's a different culture, there's nothing wrong about that. The more I talk about this the more I get angry how steryotipical people have gotten. It's 2010 for spongebob's sake. 9+

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Kid, 12 years old
October 24, 2010
 
funniest comedy ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol!!!!!!!!! sooooo funny!!!!!!! the dads are racist and pregitous.

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Teen, 16 years old
March 13, 2010
 

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Teen, 16 years old
August 28, 2010
 
An alright movie
It was alright not great or anything.Acting horrilble less comedy than in other comedy films

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Kid, 12 years old
March 12, 2010
 
Our Family Wedding Is On For 10 Years
I Want To See It

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Teen, 16 years old
August 5, 2010
 
Good for anyone 9 or 10 and up
It's an alright movie, not hilarious but not totally boring. There were a couple parts that had me laughing, but not as many as I would have liked. It's not a bad movie, so children can watch too.

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Teen, 18 years old
August 4, 2010
 
Good movie.....
It's a funny movie I really enjoyed it.....

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Teen, 15 years old
July 31, 2010
 
very funny, but racist at the same time
this movie had me laughing a lot. the only thing that is iffy about it is how the two fathers dont get along at all and how two ethnic cultures collide while planning for a wedding. theres are some sexual references but nothing too graphic.

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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:Fox Searchlight
Director:Rick Famuyiwa
Cast:America Ferrera, Carlos Mencia, Forest Whitaker, Lance Gross, Regina King
Genre:Comedy
Run time:90 minutes
Theatrical release date:March 12, 2010
DVD release date:July 13, 2010
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:some sexual content and brief strong language

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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