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Parents' Guide to

Monster-in-Law

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Predictable romantic comedy lacks kid appeal.

Movie PG-13 2005 95 minutes
Monster-in-Law Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Julia M.
Julia M. Adult
January 12, 2021
age 11+

Really funny movie about love

I loved this movie! I thought the actresses and actors were great. There was a mixture of fun, emotion, suspense and drama in the movie. Its a great light family movie when you're just in the mood of watching something light, enjoyable and fun. There is almost no inappropriate stuff, there is just a drop of violence when she and her mother in law are slapping each other.

This title has:

Great role models
Natchiramani
Natchiramani Adult
September 26, 2019
age 6+

Of relationships

Overall, there are many good things/messages A caring Son, who does a good balancing act between his mother and his would be wife ! He also chooses his life partner wisely , not for money or status but for character and of course looks ! Many may find fault with his silence on many issues but that is exactly the right way to diffuse a situation and avoid taking sides ! And last but very important is the brilliant performance of Jaylo who, derevedly takes the centre stage , by her charm and screen presence And not to be missed is the way JaneFonda handled a very negative character, what a mother in law should not be, superbly ! On the whole the movie can be judged as a meaningful entertainer!

This title has:

Great messages
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Having survived a series of husbands and a grueling globe-trotting career, self-loving celebrity interviewer Viola Fields (Jane Fonda) finally makes it to the top only to be fired and replaced by a younger version of herself. She suffers a "breakdown," and is shipped off to a clinic to recuperate. On her return home, she learns that her doctor son Kevin (Michael Vartan) is going to "marry a temp," namely, sensible, Kewpie-doll-voiced, proud-of-her-booty Charlie (Jennifer Lopez). Though Viola schemes to win back her son's attention by abusing Charlie to the point that she's run away, the women are actually well-matched. Because Charlie is here playing the nice, non-diva J-Lo, she doesn't fight back until it's absolutely plain Viola's been deceiving everyone in order to Get Her Way.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (9 ):

It's clear that the women in this feeble comedy are doomed to repeat their learned, bad behavior indefinitely. What's most disturbing about the movie is not the familiar formula, but the fact that classy Fonda is stooping to it. What's most interesting is the film's use of both "transgressive" women -- Fonda and Lopez -- as they form a continuum of ambition, success, and widely broadcast implosions and meltdowns.

But the film's liveliest element is Viola's long-suffering assistant Ruby (Wanda Sykes), a wisecracking sidekick who speaks just enough truth to seem funny, but not enough to lose her job. The fact that she's black, surrounded, particularly at Viola's mansion, by literal and metaphorical whiteness, only underlines her welcome distinctiveness and her caricature-ish wisdom.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the jealousy and silly fighting between the two primary women. Why do women (in movies) compete over a man's attention? How does the movie make their insecurities into jokes? How might the mother and son develop better communication?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: May 13, 2005
  • On DVD or streaming: August 30, 2005
  • Cast: Jane Fonda , Jennifer Lopez , Michael Vartan
  • Director: Robert Luketic
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
  • Studio: New Line
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Run time: 95 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: sex references and language
  • Last updated: June 19, 2023

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