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Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys

(2008, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Message-heavy dramedy features fine performances.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The film's messages are clear: Stay loyal to your friends, don't disrespect your family, don't cheat because it always ends badly, and don't give up your dreams. An interracial relationship is depicted negatively, but that's because it's extramarital.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A husband strikes his wife in the face after she insults him and admits to having an affair; he later grabs the other man and holds his body over a ledge. A character purposely overdoses (off screen) on prescription medication.

  • Sex:

    Couples embrace and kiss, including a man and a woman who are having an affair. The affair is discussed by various characters.

  • Language:

    Fairly mild; language includes "bastard," "piss," and "colored woman" (said jokingly by an African-American woman).

  • Consumerism:

    Featured brands include Mercedes, Porsche, Coke, and Dasani water. The song "I Hope You Dance" is prominently mentioned in the film, instead of just being on the soundtrack. Oprah Winfrey's roadtrip with her friend Gayle is Charlotte and Alice's inspiration.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters say "I need a drink" or "get me to a bar" a few times; wedding guests drink cocktails; Charlotte gets drunk doing tequila shots and orders mixed drinks on the road trip.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys

Parents need to know that, like most Tyler Perry movies, this dramedy focuses on mature themes surrounding race, class, marriage, and family. It's considerably less joke-filled than his previous work, and there's very little strong language ("bastard" is the harshest word, and it's only said once). There are two violent scenes, but only one is notably disturbing -- a husband strikes his wife. There are several allusions to an extramarital affair, but only one scene in which the couple embraces/kisses. Otherwise, the sexuality is limited to a few kisses between married couples. Most of the commercialism involves the fancy cars that some of the characters drive.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the film's messages. What points does Perry emphasize in his movies? Class doesn't seem to be an issue between wealthy Charlotte and working-class Alice, but in what other relationships are money and entitlement a problem? Nick tells Pam that Alice is a saint. How is she depicted as the movie's most virtuous character? How is her daughter Andrea portrayed? Perry's movies have been compared to morality plays. Do the overt messages to be honest, hardworking, faithful, etc. take away from or add to the film's entertainment value?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    9hemmatip
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    GREAT MOVIE! 5 STARS

    GREAT MOVIE!!! Nothing bad except one of the themes, (Adultery) may put you off so 12+

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    Philly30
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0

    Another Great Tyler Perry Movie

    Great movie---although I do miss Madea!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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