Fool's Gold

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Fool's Gold Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Blah romcom will bore teens. Some violence.

PG-13 2008 110 minutes
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 11 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 8 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

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

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that with its likable, attractive stars -- Kate Hudson and the perpetually shirtless Matthew McConaughey (previously paired in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) -- this romantic comedy is likely to appeal to teen girls and women in search of a little eye candy. But it isn't just a romantic comedy, it's also a treasure-hunting adventure that features a few unexpectedly violent scenes. In fact, there's more violence than romance, which is limited to a couple of scenes of passionate kissing. There's also some language ("s--t," "bitch") and drinking.

Community Reviews

HeroneSilverton
HeroneSilverton Adult
December 6, 2008
age 14+

I really liked it!

This was an unexpectedly good movie, one of the best I've seen in a while. It was interesting, funny, and it had action in it as well. There were few iffy moments, (a girl flashes Finn, and you see it), but otherwise, it's not too bad. The language isn't that bad, and the violence is pretty mild for a pg-13. The biggest issue is probably the sex content. None is actually shown, but it is talked about, and there is innuendo. Also, if you're uncomfortable about it, there are two gay characters, but there is nothing innappropriate about them, and they are comic characters anyway. It shouldn't be an issue, but I thought I'd mention it just in case. Overall, it's a fun movie, and I recomend it to anyone 14+.
maewade
maewade Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

By romantic comedy standards, FOOL's GOLD is actually more of a treasure-hunting action/adventure. Matthew McConaughey plays Finn, a laid-back surfer dude obsessed with finding a buried Spanish treasure off the coast of the Florida Keys. To do so, he has to get rich (and, in some cases, dangerous) patrons to fund his expeditions. Meanwhile, his estranged wife, Tess (Kate Hudson), an amateur historian with academic ambitions, is sick of the endless hunt and is about to divorce her irresponsible, narrow-sighted husband. The two collide when Finn manages to gain access to the yacht belonging to Tess' employer, Nigel (Donald Sutherland), a multi-millionaire with a shallow, tabloid-fodder daughter (Alexis Dziena). Using Nigel's money and equipment, the almost-exes go on one last mission to find the gold -- if someone else doesn't get there first.

Is It Any Good?

McConaughey and Hudson reuniting isn't surprising, given their successful 2003 romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days; what's unexpected is how little chemistry they have here. The romantic electricity evident in the best romantic comedies is nowhere to be found. (Even anti-beefcake Billy Crystal was much more romantic in When Harry Met Sally.) Instead, there are blatant, near-constant references to Finn's "raw sexuality," his "genius" at three things ("treasure hunting, finding money for treasure hunting and, um, well, you know"), and other obvious innuendos.

Speaking of McConaughey's body, it should have received separate billing in the end credits. There are more shirtless scenes than not, making him one of the few leading men comfortable with emphasizing his physique over his talent as the main reason for his bankability. After the eighth or ninth scene of his tan shoulders, you start to wonder whether there's any purpose to this film other than to be one long eye-candy shot for swooning women. That kind of (over)exposure proves distracting in both actresses and actors, and it diminishes this already-thin film to the level of thoughtless date-night fluff.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what kind of movie this is -- a romantic comedy or an action/adventure. What do you expect from each kind of movie? What parts of the film "match" with each genre? Is the emphasis on McConaughey's body -- instead of Hudson's -- a departure from most romantic comedies? What does that say about who the filmmakers are trying to target? Kids: If you had made this movie, would you have included as much violence and as little romance? Why?

Movie Details

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