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Parents' Guide to

In the Mix

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

The irresistibly talented Usher is wasted here.

Movie PG-13 2005 95 minutes
In the Mix Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

Wil77
Wil77 Adult
December 23, 2020
age 18+

Trusted reviews? "In The Mix"

Never trust a reviewer who says they are unbiased. Most likely, if you see this film, you were looking for the genre or opposed to it. If you look for it your review is favorable. If not, it's unfavorable. On merit alone, at best, I would say it's simplistic. The most influential person behind the movie wanted to defeat a form of oppression in society by depicting his hero as overcoming it. For those who deny such oppression, this movie will likely disappoint. For those who see the oppression, the movie won't disappoint. The movie is lighthearted except for the violence. If the movie wasn't entertaining, the reviews would not be so visceral because audiences wouldn't care. The oppression exists because I could not find performance numbers via streaming services. There was no strong advertising effort for the film. I had no idea it was released in 2005. There is revealing clothing, sex, but no showing of nudity during sex. There is pre marital sex, after which, the characters get married. There is smoking. There is no glorification of gangs but there is acknowledgement of the fact that gangs exist in black and white communities. Some movies tend to glorify gangs in one community and vilify them in the other. This movie doesn't make that mistake. It vilifies it across the board.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

IN THE MIX centers on DJ Darrell (Usher), who works at a dance club with his aspiring music production partner Busta (Kevin Hart). While Busta is interested in women, Darrell is looking for the "right" girl. He finds her in gangster's daughter and childhood friend Dolly (Emmanuelle Chriqui). When they fall in love, it upsets her father, Frank (Chazz Palminteri), who likes Darrell but doesn't think he's good enough for his daughter. Frank insists he is not classist or racist, his attitude suggests otherwise. When Darrell saves Frank from an assassination attempt, Frank hires him as a bodyguard/driver for Dolly. At first, she resents Darrel, but eventually she falls for him despite her father's objections and the fact that she has a boyfriend.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

A conventional and distressingly inept intercultural romance, In the Mix wastes the talent of Usher. The film is bogged down by awkward scene transitions, ridiculous dialogue ("I heard black men can dance," "If growing up in the hood is so dangerous, then why is it I only get shot by white people?"), and drearily one-dimensional supporting characters, like Frank's too-eager gunsel Jackie (Matt Gerald), and his son, Frank Jr. (Anthony Fazio), the white boy who acts "hip-hop." Part comedy, part romance, part violent gangster flick, In the Mix never pulls its many pieces together.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether or not their kids think the characters are stereotypes. They also might want to talk about all the branded products in the movie. does seeing them in a movie make them more or less appealing?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: November 23, 2005
  • On DVD or streaming: March 21, 2006
  • Cast: Chazz Palminteri , Emmanuelle Chriqui , Usher
  • Director: Ron Underwood
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors
  • Studio: Lionsgate
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 95 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: sexual content, violence and language.
  • Last updated: June 20, 2023

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