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The Women (2008)

(2008, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Debra Messing)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Imperfect remake doesn't live up to the original.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A man cheats on his wife, though the act isn't shown, just alluded to. A woman makes no apologies for going after a married man. Another woman gossips about other people's affairs. A woman sells out her best friend to save her own job. A mother neglects her daughter in her grief over her breakup. A grown-up finds out that a tween is cutting classes and smoking cigarettes. A teen obsesses about her weight and people just laugh and dismiss her worries.

  • Violence:

    Two women confront each other; some screaming and yelling.

  • Sex:

    Some parading in lingerie; a woman lounges in a bubble bath; some frank talk about how to pleasure men in bed and about lesbian relationships.

  • Language:

    Language includes "goddamn," "s--t," and "bitch."

  • Consumerism:

    Reads like a Saks Fifth Avenue catalog from the first five minutes onward. The store itself figures prominently, as do many of its wares; visible labels include Chanel, Burberry, etc. Also mentions of Grey Goose, Federal Express, Prada, and more.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Two women share a joint. Some drinking, mostly in social situations. A teen admits to smoking and flashes a pack of cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Women (2008)

Parents need to know that although the content of this dramedy is actually on the tame side -- there's a little bit of swearing, drinking, and smoking, and some sex talk, but no outright nudity -- it deals with mature themes, including infidelity and betrayal. One of the casualties of adult characters' marital discord is their child, a painful issue that's handled with a certain flippancy that might be confusing for younger viewers, especially given that the tween in question appears to be truly struggling over her parents' problems. Also expect lots of shopping and label-dropping -- and more than a few jokes about already-thin women and girls needing to lose weight.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays women. Overall, do the characters come off positively or negatively? Do they seem realistic? Are their relationships with each other believable? What does the movie say about friendship? If you've seen the 1930s original, how does this one compare? Have the messages changed? Families can also discuss the real-life consequences of marital problems like infidelity.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    alpha1014
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    alpha1014
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Great!

    Wonderful hilarious chick flick!

    This review...

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

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