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Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (R, 2007)

common sense media says

Raunchy biopic parody isn't for younger teens.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like most comedies produced by Judd Apatow, this spoof of music biopics is a pretty hard-R affair. There's full-frontal male nudity (including at least three close-ups of male genitalia), several shots of bare-breasted women, and lots of sexual innuendo. The main character is introduced to (and takes) almost every kind of drug -- pot, pills, acid, cocaine, you name it. There are also several off-color Jewish jokes (about them running showbiz, for instance), African-American stereotypes, and plenty of strong language. A few violent scenes are played for laughs (including two that show people who've been sliced in half by a machete).

Positive messages: There are a few jokes/stereotypes about African Americans, dirty dancing, and Jewish people controlling the music business (for example, the record-company executives are Hasidic men). As his fame grows, so does Dewey's appetite for drugs and women. He cheats on his wife, is mean to his band, and doesn't want to take care of his kids. But in the end, he comes to his senses.
Positive role models: In this satiric musical biography (hello Walk the Line) Dewey Cox does all sorts of things that are bad, wrong, and just plain stupid, but he comes through and returns to his senses. Regardless, Dewey's story, in its entirety, is probably not one you'd want your kid reenacting. Especially the part with the monkey.
Violence: A boy gets split in half by a machete, but the scene is played for laughs -- no screaming or blood spatter.
Sex: Several close-ups of a penis and shots of topless women in the apparent aftermath of group sex. Lots of tongue kissing, flirting, and discussion of/singing about sex (heavy double entendre in some lyrics). Teenage girls open their shirts to show their bras to Dewey. A couple dances erotically at a nightclub.
Language: Lots of "f--k"s, as well as "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," "c--t," etc.
Consumerism: Lyle Lovett, Jackson Browne, Jewel, and Eddie Vedder pop up as themselves.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: High-school girls smoke cigarettes at a talent show. Dewey is introduced to stronger and stronger drugs -- marijuana, cocaine, PCP, acid, and even Viagra -- by his bandmate.
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More on Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how the movie pokes fun at straightforward biopics like Ray and Walk the Line. What Hollywood "formula" for telling musicians' life stories does the comedy make fun of?
  • Is it on target? How are musicians typically portrayed in the media? Kids: Do you think all famous rock stars live like Dewey Cox?
  • What parts do you think are exaggerated for laughs?
  • Families can also discuss the "return" of the R-rated comedy. Do the raunchy bits make movies like this funnier, or do they go overboard?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A send-up of musical biopics Ray and Walk the Line, WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY tells the hard-knock, rags-to-riches story of musician Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly), who's story should seem familiar. Dewey is haunted by his young brother's death and loses his sense of smell but still manages to become a successful singer. He struggles to suppress his love for back-up singer Darlene (Jenna Fischer), who doesn't want to fool around with a married man. Dewey changes drastically with each decade as his career rises and falls. He sings in prisons and on the same stage as Elvis and Buddy Holly in the '50s, drops acid with the Beatles in the '60s, and hosts a laughable variety show in the '70s.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Even when they're directed by someone else, Judd Apatow-produced movies have the same raunchy but still earnest feel. In Walk Hard, director Jake Kasdan takes up the "genre spoofer" mantle to poke fun at Hollywood's love affair with musical biopics. And if you don't mind close-ups of genitalia and Jewish jokes (apparently they're it's OK because the director is Jewish...), the movie will definitely make you laugh.

Reilly, who sings all the fake Cox tunes, is surprisingly good as the troubled singer. And the supporting comedians -- Fischer and SNL veterans Kristen Wiig, Tim Meadows, and Chris Parnell, to name a few -- are all pros whose comedy skills shouldn't be underestimated. Walk Hard isn't a comedic masterpiece by any stretch, but in the vein of Anchorman and Superbad, it's the kind of laughfest that grows on you, even though parts are quite stupid. And after the credits roll, don't be surprised if you leave the theater singing "Walk Hard."

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Jake Kasdan
Cast: Jenna Fischer, John C. Reilly, Tim Meadows
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release: December 20, 2007
DVD release: April 7, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language.
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This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16

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jhh379
adult
 
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movieloverman1234
adult
16
 
funny movie but hard R
This movie is a hard R. That being said its extremely funny. You want a funny movie then watch walk hard. Theres bad language, nudity and strong drug use. for adults only.
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ac7193
teen, 17 years old
 
I liked it, but I would've liked it to be more original.
I thought this film was kind of funny... But... I did have a little problem with its originality. I thought I was watching a funny version of "Walk the Line" ( The "Walk Hard" songs in the movie are better). I would recommend this movie for mature 13+.
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heymonday101
teen, 15 years old
16
 
Hahahahahaha!!!!!! "My people come here to dance erotically!" Hilarious movie, awful content. 16+
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bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
16
 
Not as Bad as People Think
VERY GOOD MOVIE! After watching this movie i forgot that the movie was a parody. The Soundtrack is also amazing. THis movie was not as bad as some of Apattows others... like 'Forgetting Sarah MArshall" (which got a 15+). Yes, this movie has both male and female frontal nudiy, and one sex scene, but overall it wasnt really bad. The swearing is also tamer, the first half hour has no f-words. (There were some throughout). Minor words are used (sh**, a**, etc) and 2 c**t. There is a lot of drugs, but its not a graphic viewing of them. And it always has consiquences. Great Movie, Highly Suggest this and soundtrack
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amollo01
adult
 
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telecaster55
adult
 
I want my 2 hours back
An interesting premise and fairly good acting were ruined by gratuitous nudity that was painful to see. When you go for the lowest common denominator, this is what you get.
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sugarbabyburnn
teen, 17 years old
 
i laughed super hard..
yet there was still a bit of bad stuff in it. you see a close-up of a nude guy twice, and there is only one seen where you see female frontal nudity. the cursing wasnt too bad, it wasnt constant like in other movies ive seen like Superbad, so that was cool. no violence except the dad and brother were both cut in half, not gory, but meant for laughs. the drug seens were funny. im not saying doing drugs is good but it was just meant for laughs. those seens were my favorite parts of the whole movie. all in all, i recommend this movie to anyone over 15.
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astrehlow
adult
 
Super funny, for adults, not kiddos
funny stuff. It is for sure for adults more than the kids. Great satire/parody illustration.
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skaterboy16
adult
 
so funny!!!!!!!
this is the funniest movie to come out this year and there is like nothing wrong with it!!!!!!!!!!GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!
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zzzion
adult
 
Awesome
This is one of the best movies ever made. The Big Lebowski on country western. I didnt see it comming, but this movie is fantastic. A rare find that many will miss, too bad, it's hillarious.
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