Date Night

Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media
Date Night Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Funny duo packs in the silly sex jokes, plus minor gun play.

PG-13 2010 88 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 27 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 56 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this farcical comedy, filled with the kind of pratfalls, comic car chases, and silly humor of Tina Fey and Steve Carell that appeal to teens, is geared more toward adults. It contains sexual innuendo and coarse language throughout, plus mature themes related to married life, and episodes of violence and gunplay -- all played for humor. One long sequence takes place in a strip club and includes near-nude women, suggestive dancing, and the threat of violent behavior. There are multiple discussions of menstruation, infidelity, and sexual misbehavior. Strong language abounds ("asshole," "s--t," "penis," "whore" and one use of "f--k"). The leading characters are held at gunpoint and shot at many times, however, it's all comedic action and no one is injured or killed. One comic car chase results in dozens of crashes, shattered windows, a character hanging onto carhood, and a main character ending up in a river, unharmed.

Community Reviews

Angela Ferguson
Angela Ferguson Adult
July 4, 2019
age 16+

Pappy and T s review

It was good but the actor playing co star with common as bad police officers really sucks and is weird and unattractive
CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
December 23, 2018
age 12+

The butt review

See all 27 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After some seemingly happy friends decide to separate, Phil and Claire Foster (Steve Carell and Tina Fey) wonder about the solidity of their own marriage. Have parenthood, longevity, and routine begun to crack its foundation? A real DATE NIGHT in Manhattan (not just their usual New Jersey steakhouse outing) might add some zest to their lives. But when they arrive in New York City, a bad case of mistaken identity sends the Fosters on the run. Chased by some very scary people with guns, as well as the police, Phil and Claire have to use their not-always-reliable wits and minimal resources to outmaneuver the villains and discover some valuable truths about themselves.

Is It Any Good?

The pleasure and laughs in Date Night come from the physical comedy, special chemistry, wry humor, and remarkable talent of the movie's two stars. It's a film to sit back and enjoy, without thinking too hard about realism. Forget the silliness of the plot; it's simply the engine that drives the movie and allows the filmmakers to follow the antics of the Fosters and introduce other off-beat and vibrant characters (played by the hilarious James Franco, Ray Liotta, Mila Kunis, and a perpetually shirtless Mark Wahlberg).

As the chase continues, the characters stop runnning long enough (and the audience stops laughing long enough) to see some very real and recognizable private moments between Phil and Claire. Competent direction, a script that tries to bring some logic to the proceedings, along with the chronically funny characters and material, make the film seem spontaneous and even heartfelt amid all the boisterous merriment. Teens might find the slapstick humor funny, but they'll miss the jokes aimed at long-term couples and perhaps even scoff at the sentimental moments.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about danger and violence in the movie. Did you ever feel that the main characters were in serious jeopardy? What tools did the filmmakers use to show that it was all in fun and there was no real danger?

  • The movie had lots of sexual humor. How was the humor different from other movies where sex plays a prominent role? Did the fact that some of the sex jokes involved married people make them more or less funny? Why or why not?

  • What did the Fosters learn about themselves during their adventure? How did they surprise each other?

  • Would it surprise you to learn that the pole dancing scene was neither scripted nor rehearsed? Describe "improvisation" and talk about other instances in movies and on television where the material might have been improvised.

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate