Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lazy comedy about lazy people is vulgar, dumb, and unfunny.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Freeloaders
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In Hollywood, a group of "freeloaders" -- Dave (Josh Lawson), Emma (Zoe Boyle), Benny (Kevin Sussman), Fritz (Nat Faxon), Trane (Warren Hutchinson), and Vic (Clifton Collins Jr.) -- have all been crashing at a mansion owned by singer Adam Duritz (of Counting Crows) for years. When Adam announces that he's getting married and selling the mansion, the freeloaders must either find new places to live -- which is unlikely -- or raise a pile of cash to buy the mansion themselves. With a vicious harpy of a real estate agent, Carolyn (Jane Seymour), breathing down their necks, time is running out quickly. Things get even more complicated when Dave falls for Carolyn's assistant, Samantha (Brit Morgan). Can these misfits keep from becoming homeless?
Is It Any Good?
Directed by Dan Rosen, FREELOADERS is an example of lazy filmmaking. Attempts to stretch into outrageous comedy feel forced and desperate, while -- conversely -- attempts to add romance and character development feel equally forced and desperate. It feels as if the movie didn't have the courage to choose one direction or the other. It could have either been entirely outrageous or much sweeter, but instead it tries to please a wide range of viewers and ends up pleasing none.
Most of Freeloaders' situations rely on stupidity or discomfort, such as Duritz's new in-laws accidentally walking into a porn shoot; none of it would feel out of place in a terrible TV sitcom. Whatever's left is given over to celebrity appearances, such as Dave Foley (who joins the freeloaders), Denise Richards, Garrett Morris, or Duritz himself. Of course, it's entirely possible to make a smart comedy out of stupid characters, but Freeloaders is not that comedy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Freeloaders' sexual content. What's supposed to be funny about the porn movie shoot? Could the movie have worked without that sequence?
What would make these "freeloaders" stay put for so long? What's appealing about their situation? What's bad about it?
Does the movie make a celebrity lifestyle look appealing? What's different or unique about the celebrities shown in the movie? Are they happy?
How does the movie portray drinking and drug use? Are there any realistic consequences?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 11, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : April 2, 2013
- Cast : Dave Foley , Jane Seymour , Josh Lawson
- Director : Dan Rosen
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Salient Media
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 77 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude sexual content, nudity, language and drug use
- Last updated : July 25, 2022
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