The List

Movie review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
The List Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Cute romantic comedy has a few racy scenes.

NR 2007 90 minutes
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Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this sweet romance has a fair amount of sex for a made-for-TV movie airing on ABC Family. There's kissing, groping, and other types of foreplay, as well as a brief scene that shows a couple having sex in bed (no nudity). Female characters often dress in skimpy outfits and flirt like crazy -- a supporting male character revels in it, but his upstanding friend (the main character) steadily turns them down in favor of a meaningful relationship. Language like "damn" and "bitch" is common, and there's some social drinking.

Community Reviews

bored2helloflupita
bored2helloflupita Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age
hein5
hein5 Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

For Lewis Bond (Wayne Brady), it seems like life is moving full speed ahead. His career is a success, and he's getting ready to propose to his girlfriend. But when the big day comes she dumps him, leaving him to wonder if true love is a myth. After some soul-searching, he writes out a list of the qualities he wants in a wife. Not long after, he encounters the beautiful Cecile (Sydney Tamiia Poitier), who fills so many of his "requirements" that Lewis is soon double-checking his list in disbelief. Meanwhile, Cecile is secretly ironing out the kinks in her rocky life, including divorcing her self-centered husband (Malcolm Jamal-Warner). As their relationship progresses, Lewis starts to think that his long wait for a soul mate is over. But when the truth comes out about the plans behind their not-so-chance encounter, he feels his world crumbling beneath him yet again and wonders if true love is just a fairy tale after all.

Is It Any Good?

The List is a cute romantic comedy that will have starry-eyed viewers believing that love really can conquer all. Although the plot often borders on the predictable (boy meets girl, they fall in love, mishaps threaten their future, chance steps in to save the day), the movie is bolstered by great performances from Brady and Poitier, who have good onscreen chemistry.

That said, there's a fair amount of strong language for TV (especially for ABC Family) and several sexy scenes (including one that briefly shows a man and woman having sex, though there's no nudity), so it's best for teens and up.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the media shapes our ideas of dating and romance. Are TV and movie relationships realistic? How do celebrity body images, fashions, and mannerisms influence how people think about the opposite sex? Teens: Would you want your boyfriend/girlfriend to look and act like the people you see in the media? Families can also discuss relationships in general. Is there such a thing as one "right" person for marriage?

Movie Details

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