Parents need to know that this movie has very mature material for a PG-13, including extremely strong language and explicit sexual references and situations, including adultery, teen sex, and homosexuality. Characters smoke (smoking is portrayed as an indicator of being cool and rebellious) and drink. Characters shoot guns at a target range and there is some mild violence (no one hurt). Strengths of the movie include the positive portrayal of disabled and gay characters and the ultimate conclusion about the importance of seeking the real meaning of the Bible's teachings.
This movie was great in a way that other movies aren't. It didn't have any of the stupid teen sexual jokes. It also has a wonderful funny but moving script. I loved this movie!!! I would suggest it for 13+ and would give it 20 stars if possible! Definitely not appropriate for younger middle schoolers or elementry age kids!
This movie is really funny, but there is really strong sexual content. The start of the movie is when Mary has sex with her boyfriend after he tells her he is gay, because she thinks it will "de-gay" him. After that, there is a lot more sexual references. There is one use of the f-word, and a lot of s-words. Some teens smoke and drink. But this is a really funny movie and tolerance is a theme.
Probably not okay to very conservative parents or children
The movie begins very differently from how it ends. At the start it is easy to see the negative tilt on the showy religious displays and the hypocrisy and close-mindedness of the characters. However, after Mary discovers that she is pregnant, she reexamines her faith, testing what she was taught (standing in front of a church and swearing to see if God would do anything, one of the only instances of questionable language). The supporting characters are seen in shifting ways--Mary's clique of friends abandons her, while the school rebel befriends her and becomes her support. In the end, this movie has a good message about discovering for yourself, not trusting first impressions, acceptance and tolerance.
This is one of my favorite movies about high school. Actually, it is my favorite movie of all time. This movie tackles all kinds of issues up & down with a touch of Christianity. Actors are all great. Lots of inappropriate stuff, however. You might think this is a bad influence for a movie. If you have the mature mind, you'll see how great it is & see the movie's "what-not-to-do-in-high-school" aspects. Beautiful movie. I recommend it.
Suggested MPAA Rating:
PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexuality/sexual content, some strong language, crude and sexual humor throughout- all involving teens.
This movie is a very good movie, however it has inappropriate content throughout- including teen pregnancy, sex scenes, smoking, gay relationships, and crude sexual humor throughout.
It was soooooooooo funny! Probabaly my favorite Jena Malone movie, besides Donnie Darko! It was funny. The jewish girl was hilarious... Kind of racy though, only sex and drug wise. which is sort of the most severe. Hahah good.
I saw this movie in the theatre and laughed throughout it. It does have some questionable scenes in it, and may not be for more conservative parents or families. I think that there are a lot of points and discussions that could come out of the movie. It would be very wise to make sure to talk with your children about the movie before or afterward, because there may be some awesome points to discuss, that could turn into some cool conversations. If you are a religious family, don't disregard the movie right away, because it is an awesome eye opener.
One of my favorite movies of all time, a winner! Worth watching.
I absolutely love this movie, personally. I could watch it over and over again, and never get tired of watching it. It covers a lot of teen issues, which are clearly mentioned in most reviews on here. No use repeating. Good messages, however terrible role models. One message is directed to Christians: no matter how bad life may seem or how sinful you are, Jesus will always love you.
Although i like pretty much every movie i see i love this movie.
It can show to many about how people tend to be fixated on their own opinion and aren't open minded in anything but what they believe in.
Great movie, watch it.
I came across this movie while channel surfing and was pleasantly surprised by it. It opens with a overly "wholesome," god-fearing, needlessly sheltered and superstitious clique in a christian school.
(Satire is obvious from the start, but not obnoxious or disrespectful.)
Real-life issues, such as homosexuality and teen pregnancy, are quickly introduced and cause a great deal of confliction within the characters.
The school is then divided between the judgemental "good christians" and the struggling "sinners," who show more compassion towards one another than their holier-than-thou counterparts.
The moral of the story is tolerance. But it also poses the question "What would Jesus do?" with the most unlikely characters pulling through to answer that question in their own actions.
IE: The rebellious non-christian girl in the begining of the movie shows she has a bigger heart and more insight than most of her christian classmates when she offers a pregnant teen her help and friendship.
I think the rating was appropriate, as many of the situations portrayed in the movie are things all teenagers have to struggle with in some way.
I feel they portrayed Christians as a very opinionated, pious group of people. The Christian beliefs were mocked. while the non Christians were made out to be heroes. In no way do I consider this a comedy. In trying to show how opinionated a Christian can be the director is being opinionated towards the Christian beliefs. I feel this is not satire but a blatant attack on the Christian Faith.