The Money Pit
Common Sense says
- PG
- 1986
- 91 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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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 The Money Pit, although PG, has several mature themes and conversations. The couple played by Tom Hanks and Shelley Long fool around in bed -- with their construction crew looking on in one case. They kiss many times throughout the movie and have conversations about sex, drinking, and ending their relationship. In one scene -- played for laughs -- Long's character is groped without her consent. The humor consists of Hanks (and in a few cases Long) getting hurt in a variety of elaborate ways during their hellish home renovation.
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User Reviews
Good for those in double figures!
The Worst House in All of History...
Perfect Tom Hanks Film!!
What's the story?
Tom Hanks plays Walter, an entertainment lawyer living in a fabulous Manhattan apartment with his girlfriend Anna (Shelley Long), a classical musician. When Anna's ex, an egotistical conductor (the stunning dancer-turned-actor Alexander Godunov) returns from abroad, the couple loses their place. Unluckily for them, their realtor finds them a gorgeous mansion upstate. The house, they find out, is anything but a steal -- it's literally crumbling to pieces, usually on top of Walter and Anna. As they begin the laborious but process of fixing up the house, anything that can possibly go wrong does, from Walter missing the house inspector because he's stuck in a hole in the floor to Anna getting attacked by a raccoon living in the dumbwaiter. In between all of the construction mishaps, Walter and Anna's relationship ends up needing some improvements as well. Will they survive their money pit or crumble like their old foundation?
Is it any good?
Whether or not you're a fan of broad comedies, you won't be able to keep from laughing out loud in this one, especially since Hanks proves a genius with the physical humor. Nowadays, with the exception of the occasional romantic comedy or animated character, Hanks tends to star in big-budget dramas or action thrillers. But as all but the youngest of moviegoers know, in the '80s Hanks was a comedian extraordinaire, starring in laughfests like the home-improvement comedy THE MONEY PIT. This being an '80s comedy, the happy ending is all but guaranteed.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about persevering despite many obstacles. Anna and Walter take turns bemoaning the purchase of their new home. How does the home improvement project change their relationship? Was buying the house a risk that paid off?
How did you feel about the way Walter handled the contractor groping Anna? What do you wish would have happened? Do you think that scene would be in a more modern movie?
Kids: Would you want to live in the Money Pit house?
Is there any evidence here that the comic Hanks would end up to be a big Oscar winner?
Movie details
- In theaters: March 26, 1986
- On DVD or streaming: February 4, 2003
- Cast: Alexander Godunov, Shelley Long, Tom Hanks
- Director: Richard Benjamin
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
For kids who love to laugh
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.