 | 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. |
There's Something About Mary
- Review Date: July 10, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
Farrelly bros' classic is full of gross-out laughs.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that There's Something About Mary is a gross-out movie that features rampant unscrupulous, shocking, and inappropriate behavior to elicit laughs. It's funny stuff for the right crowd of adult comedy aficionados and a well-made movie for the often-maligned genre. Kids will want to see it because of the star power of Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller and its notorious shock value as a Farrelly brothers film. But consider this while you listen to them beg: the film features lots of jokes about male sexual insecurity, including getting caught masturbating (falsely and then really, when Mary finds ejaculate on Ted's ear and mistakes it for hair gel), injuring their genitals, gay male sex, and rape. It also makes light of sociopathic behavior, as one character stalks Mary and all the other men in her life continually deceive her.
What's the story?
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY centers on hapless Ted (Ben Stiller), who's having a Charlie Brown life. His therapist ducks out on his sessions, his friends have everything he wants, and he still can't get over the girl he almost went to prom with (Cameron Diaz). He's having fantasies about her and trying to forget the tragic zipper accident that sent him to the hospital for weeks and forced him to miss out on what he's sure would have been his perfect relationship. So he takes Dom's (Chris Elliot's) advice and hires a private investigator Healy (Matt Dillon) to find her so he can finally have closure and, maybe, a second chance at love. But can Healy find her, and if he can, can he resist her football-and-beer-loving charm?
Is it any good?
Sure, the plot may sound like your typical romantic comedy -- but not with the Farrelly brothers at the helm. These are the same guys who brought you Dumb and Dumber, with its toilet humor and political incorrectness. Instead, this is a frat guy's idea of a romantic comedy, full of jokes at the expense of disabled people and women. Sure, the guys who fall for Mary are the ultimate joke; undeveloped man-boy idiots drooling over her charms -- how many leggy blondes are doctors who love beer and football?
If you can't stand this kind of humor, stay clear. And it's certainly not the thing for anyone with dating horror stories -- Chris Elliot's character won't be funny at all. But the film definitely has enough to satisfy adult gross-out humor fans.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the appeal of this movie and the whole gross-out genre. Do you think these extremely flawed characters are funny? What do you think about angelic and idealized Mary in comparison?
Is this film equally funny to men and women? Why or why not?
Were there parts of the film you found more offensive than funny? Would you seek out other movies like this or stick to lighter comedy fare?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 9 years old
December 3, 2010
AGE
O-F-F!!!
What the crap?! This wouldn't have been such a bad movie if the Sexy and languagey wasn't in it.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
July 17, 2009
AGE
Great movie
This movie is one of my fav movies!! I love it!! It is hilarious and has great acting. Absolutly not ok for kids, I am 12 and saw it when i was nine or ten, and fell in love with it!! Still very inappropriate!!
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 16 years old
July 24, 2009
AGE
This movie is pretty funny but does have alot of sexy stuff in it. If you like funny movies then this is one you have to watch but watch out so young kids dont see It.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
July 9, 2009
AGE
funny movie
this funny i love how they got brent farve
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
June 28, 2009
AGE
Funniest Ben Stiller but crude.
Funniest Ben Stller i've seen. But the sexual humor was a bit overboardered.Language to, i saw it when i was 12 and my parents didnt mind but Caution.
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
great movie
i love the part when the dog and the grandma take some kind of pills that make them go crazy and the dog attacks ben stiller. the best part in that scene was when the dog jumped out the window. hilarious movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
April 7, 2010
AGE
Gross-out gold!
This film is fantastic for those who are into gross-out comedy. I watched this with my mum for the first time last night, and found it hilarious. There are some bits where you cringe, but all in all, a fantastic movie. Parts to be aware of are: Ted gets his penis stuck in a zipper, and his girlfriend's family and the local authorities cringe and laugh, then yo usee an unexpected crotch-shot; Healy is spying on Mary, and gets out large binoculars while she is undressing, and then turns round to some very fake old breasts; a ver fake model of a dog is electrocuted; and a man 'Woogey' stalks Mary and steals her shoes.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
June 17, 2009
AGE
What other families should know:
Was this review useful?
|
|
Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
I lost the concept of good comedy
If we show this film to group that the media may intend it for, then we give a poor impression of men, women, dating and persons with different lifestyles. Everyone is impressionable, even adults, but being more "wise" we are supposed to use our common sense to discern good entertainment. If you don't take the information in this film seriously you will be fine, but this isn't good comedy.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Directors: | Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly |
| Cast: | Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 119 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 15, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | September 13, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong comic sexual content and language. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
