Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Depraved, unfunny anthology comedy wastes tons of talent.
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Movie 43
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say the film is widely regarded as one of the worst comedies ever made, with many viewers finding it unfunny and offensive due to its excessive use of crude humor, graphic content, and lack of a coherent plot. While some appreciate its bizarre approach to parody, the overall consensus leans heavily towards disappointment and irritation with the wasted talent in the star-studded cast.
- unfunny comedy
- offensive content
- wasted talent
- bizarre humor
- disappointing reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
A screenwriter (Dennis Quaid) pitches several story ideas to a Hollywood executive (Greg Kinnear). Among them is one about a woman (Kate Winslet) who goes on a blind date with a man (Hugh Jackman) who has testicles hanging from his neck. In another story, a couple (Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber) homeschools their teen son and tries to offer him the humiliations of high school as well as the lessons. In another, a woman asks her boyfriend to poop on her during sex. Then a company has technical issues with its new "iBabe" line of iPods, and an Internet date turns into a cruel game of "truth or dare." And so it goes. Does the movie ever get made? Who cares?
Is It Any Good?
This movie's so bad it may acquire legendary status someday; but then again, maybe not. Twelve directors came together for this anthology film, with Peter Farrelly taking the connecting, wraparound sequence as well as the first short. It's one of his worst efforts, sinking too far into so-called shocking, vulgar humor and too little into any kind of emotional connection to real-life experiences. Other directors -- including Brett Ratner, James Gunn, Rusty Cundieff, and Griffin Dunne -- don't fare any better.
The wonderful comic actress Elizabeth Banks makes her directorial debut with her segment -- about a teen girl getting her first period -- but it's frenetic and cruel and doesn't suggest much of a future for this part of her career. MOVIE 43 is the kind of film that makes you wonder which sequences are the most irresponsible and depraved and what these talented people were thinking to get involved with such a project.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Movie 43's sexual situations. Are there any relationships in the movie that could be defined as healthy or positive? What messages does the movie send about sex?
Some segments revolve around cruelty to children and teens. Are they funny? Why or why not? Who are they intended to appeal to?
In the final sequence, an animated cat is involved in some of the movie's most depraved humor. Does the fact that the cat isn't real affect the impact of those scenes?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 25, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : June 18, 2013
- Cast : Emma Stone , Gerard Butler , Hugh Jackman , Kate Winslet
- Directors : Elizabeth Banks , Peter Farrelly , Steve Carr
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Relativity Media
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong pervasive crude and sexual content including dialogue, graphic nudity, language, some violence and drug use
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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