Parents' Guide to The Man

Movie PG-13 2005 104 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

By Cynthia Fuchs , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 16+

Sad excuse for a movie, not for younger teens.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

age 15+

Based on 2 kid reviews

What's the Story?

Dental appliances salesman Andy Fiddler (Eugene Levy) comes to Detroit from Wisconsin for a convention. ATF Agent Derrick Vann (Samuel L. Jackson), whose partner was just killed, is working on a case involving gunrunners, headed by Joey Trent (Luke Goss). When Vann arranges an undercover buy, Fiddler is mistaken for the buyer, and Vann then needs his help on the case.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say ( 2 ):

The time limit on the interracial buddy-cop formula has surely expired -- and yet, THE MAN rehashes all the old jokes and inanities, bringing precious little that's entertaining or new.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the film's use of rude jokes to get to a seemingly "family-friendly" point. Andy convinces Vann that he needs to pay attention to his young daughter (now living with her mother and stepfather). How does the movie maneuver between cop-buddy themes and PG-13 comedy themes? How do Andy's morality and idealism affect Vann's amorality and cynicism? How does the movie compare criminals and cops, so both look aggressive, self-absorbed, and small-minded?

Movie Details

  • In theaters : September 9, 2005
  • On DVD or streaming : January 17, 2006
  • Cast : Eugene Levy , Luke Goss , Samuel L. Jackson
  • Director : Les Mayfield
  • Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
  • Studio : New Line
  • Genre : Comedy
  • Run time : 104 minutes
  • MPAA rating : PG-13
  • MPAA explanation : language, rude dialogue and some violence.
  • Last updated : September 20, 2019

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