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The Interview

age 17+
(i)

 

Not-so-political comedy concentrates on vulgar jokes.
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  • Review Date: December 28, 2014
  • Rated: R
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Release Year: 2014
  • Running Time: 112 minutes

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What parents need to know

Positive messages

For a time, it looks as though the movie might be promoting peace and understanding between cultures. But in the end, death, destruction, and blatant manipulation rule the day.

Positive role models

The main characters aren't very bright, and, despite the movie's attempt to show them a quasi-patriots, they're mostly self-serving, and they don't learn much of anything from their experiences. Racial and sexual stereotyping. Women treated as objects.

Violence

A dying man shoots himself; blood comically splatters everywhere (treated comically). Characters bite fingers off three times, with spurting blood. Guns are fired. Fighting, chases, explosions. Threat of tiger attack; tiger killed by falling projectile. Threat of nuclear missiles.

Sex

A sex act, thrusting, no nudity. Brief scene of topless women. Kissing, foreplay. A man's naked bottom. Another man naked, but no sensitive parts shown. Men ogle a woman's cleavage. References to porn. Strong, constant innuendo.

Language

Extreme, constant strong language, including "f--k," "motherf----r," "s--t," "bitch," "whore," "hell," "c--ksucker," "c--k," "Jesus f--k," "taint," "goddamn," "c--t," "p---y," "vagina," "butt," "anus," "boner," "chub," "jerk off," "douche," "pee," "poo," "camel toe," and "d--k."

Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Characters take Ecstasy and have a wild night that ends in a hangover. Some drinking. Mention of smoking pot. A cigar.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Interview is a  controversial comedy that was co-written and co-directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and stars Rogen and James Franco as a producer and talk show host tasked with assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Reportedly due to the movie's subject matter, distributor Sony Pictures was the victim of a huge Internet hack, which they were led to believe was the work of terrorists. Under pressure and responding to threats, Sony first opted to pull the movie but shortly after decided to release it in a limited theatrical run and on VOD. The extra publicity has made the movie quite famous, and parents should know that teens may very well want to sneak a peek. Those who do will be met with extreme foul language and strong sexual innuendo, as well as brief nudity (breasts, bottoms, etc.) and simulated sex acts. It also has several scenes of blood and gore, shooting, fighting, and explosions, many of which are played for laughs but are still graphic. There are also some scenes of drug use (Ecstasy) and brief drinking, as well as a reference to smoking pot.

What's the story?

Dave Skylark (James Franco) is the slick, smarmy host of a popular celebrity TV talk show, an interviewer so skilled that he can even get Eminem to open up about his sexuality. When Dave and his producer, Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen), learn that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un (Randall Park) is a huge fan of the show, they arrange to interview him. But, having learned this, the CIA sends agent Lacey (Lizzy Caplan) to convince the boys to use their opportunity to assassinate Kim instead. Once in Korea, Aaron finds himself attracted to one of Kim's top aides (Diana Bang), and Dave starts developing a bond with Kim himself. Can our heroes do the right thing and still get out of the country alive?

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Co-writers/directors Rogen and Evan Goldberg follow up their acclaimed all-star apocalypse comedy This Is the End with THE INTERVIEW, a less metaphysical and more topical comedy. It's an attempt at a political satire, stirring up trouble before its release -- or at least tangentially involved in trouble -- but resulting in less a political satire than a bromance with jokes about body parts and bodily functions.

The best part about The Interview is Franco, whose cheerfully loony performance recalls his award-winning role in Spring Breakers. Dave Skylark is so comfortable with his inappropriate behavior that he's instantly hilarious. He's incapable of a false note, even though he's all surface. Unfortunately, as the plot begins to kick in and take hold in the second half, less time is given to jokes, and we're left with not much more than yelling, chasing, explosions, and some gratuitous finger-biting and blood spurts.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about the controversy surrounding The Interview. What was the result of Sony being hacked? Who was offended, and who was hurt? How did Sony respond to the threats? Do you agree with their decisions? Did the story surrounding the movie make you more or less interested in seeing it?

  • How violent is the movie? Is the violence intended for shock, humor, or both? How is it handled? Is it excessive?

  • How much of the movie's humor is sexual in nature? Who is that content intended to appeal to? Do you think it succeeds?

  • Did you notice any stereotypes in the movie? How does it portray the North Koreans? Are they all viewed the same way? Do you think the movie would have had the same impact and tone if the target of the plot had been a fictional character from a fictional country?

  • Why would Dave Skylark's show be popular? What's appealing about celebrity interviews versus "actual" news?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:December 25, 2014
DVD release date:February 17, 2015
Cast:Seth Rogen, James Franco, Lizzy Caplan
Directors:Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
Studios:Sony Pictures Releasing, Columbia Pictures
Genre:Comedy
Run time:112 minutes
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:pervasive language, crude and sexual humor, nudity, some drug use and bloody violence

This review of The Interview was written by

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are conducted by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Quality

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  • Good: Pretty engaging; good learning approach.
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  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parent of a 18+ year old Written byValdoria December 27, 2014
age 17+

Tricked by the hype

Don't waste your money on this one. Purely hype from the media got everyone's focus on this movie, well played I guess. Poor acting, overly jerry lewis like slap stick humor beyond annoying, and about a dozen women actresses are used as prostitutes to be naked about half way through. Insulting and disturbing. I used to like Franco and Rogen but after this, I will pass on any further movies they are involved in. I don't have kids but would never let children see this movie unless you want your daughters to believe being a stripper is cool and your sons to objectify women.
What other families should know
Too much sex
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Parent Written byRMMNYC December 30, 2014
age 15+

Propaganda

If you want to teach your kids about propaganda, watch this movie with them and provide a narrative to them. Sure its violent, there's some sex and inappropriate relationship aspects, there's a ton of profanity, but the movie is generally well-done. Don't let them watch it alone, but if you watch it with them, you will enjoy many "teachable" moments.
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Parent of a 8 and 14 year old Written bymommmyoftwogirls January 6, 2015
age 13+

Just What Was Expected

First off, this movie can be compared to the Hangover, Knocked Up, etc. It is an incredibly satirized version of North Korea, and I would strongly recommend that kids who watch this are educated on the true situation in North Korea before watching. It is important not only for having a good understanding of the world, but for enjoyment of the movie. For example, make sure your kid knows that the ending is completely made up. I think this movie would be appropriate for kids younger then 13 to watch(with a few fast forwards, mind you), but it is really about what the parent is comfortable with their child seeing, and what the child is comfortable with watching. There was violence, sex, swearing, drinking, drugs and smoking, but it was what I expected knowing that the main actors are James Franco and Seth Rogen.
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