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What Just Happened?

(2008, Rated R, Comedy, Starring Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Bruce Willis)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Showbiz satire is too edgy, "insidery" for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A character discusses spending time in rehab and then falling off the wagon. A character is going through marriage counseling with his wife. Corrupt and coarse behavior is depicted. A supporting character commits suicide. Satirizes the media industry, with some broad/generalized characterizations.

  • Violence:

    Gun violence is repeatedly seen in a film-within-the-film -- including blood, a human being shot, and a dog being shot; scuffling; destructive rages involve furniture being thrown/damaged.

  • Sex:

    A single naked breast is seen; kissing; discussions of sex and infidelity.

  • Language:

    Frequent strong language, including "f--k," "motherf----r," "s--t," "balls," "ass," "p---y," a--hole," "bollocks," "pricks," "bitch," and more.

  • Consumerism:

    Many show business entities and corporations are mentioned, like Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair, and Columbia Pictures; brands like Porsche, Vicodin, Red Bull, Klonopin, The Red Cross and more are also referenced.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink hard liquor, wine, and beer and smoke cigarettes and cigars. One reference to Ecstasy being taken. Extensive mention of the abuse of prescription drugs, with a lead character acquiring them illicitly to help placate a nervy director.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About What Just Happened?

Parents need to know that this mature showbiz satire -- which depicts the ups and downs of a Hollywood producer -- includes scenes in which prescription drugs are passed around as cavalierly as breath mints, and a major subplot revolves around sexual jealousy. A major character, who has completed rehab, falls off the wagon, and the film-within-a-film that the producer is working to save features gory gun violence (as well as a discussion of how much violence is too much on screen). There's also lots of strong language (including "f--k" and derivations thereof) and several brands referenced or on display.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the business of modern Hollywood. Is art possible in the world of commercial entertainment, or will financial concerns always win out? What audience do you think movies like this one are made for? Families can also discuss some of the excesses indulged in by the heavy-handed studios and self-centered actors. Is the film exaggerating these for effect, or is this an accurate depiction of the realities of modern show business?
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