The Whole Nine Yards
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Some very funny moments, but not for kids.
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The Whole Nine Yards
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Lots of female nudity
What's the Story?
THE WHOLE NINE YARDS stars Matthew Perry as Oz, a miserable dentist from Chicago, now living in Canada with a wife (Rosanna Arquette) who despises him. He is trying to pay off the debts of her father, who had been his partner, and who embezzled money and then committed suicide. When the notorious Jimmy "The Tulip" Tedeski (Bruce Willis) moves next door, Oz becomes involved in a series of double- and triple-crosses, involving Jimmy's former colleagues in the mob, an assortment of hired killers, and Jimmy's beautiful and lonely wife, Cynthia (Natasha Henstridge).
Is It Any Good?
There is a nice little comedy genre about mob hit men living in suburbia; this one doesn't quite live up to Steve Martin's neglected gem My Blue Heaven, but it has some very funny moments.
The Whole Nine Yards is a fast and funny comedy that checks morality and political correctness at the door. Perry spends most of his time falling down, when he isn't getting beat up. Amanda Peet is simply terrific as Oz's sympathetic receptionist, with an unexpected expertise in hired killers. And the resolution, following a tough choice between love or money, is very satisfying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the various ways the mob is portrayed in movies, and research the true history of the mafia.
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 18, 2000
- On DVD or streaming: July 18, 2000
- Cast: Bruce Willis , Matthew Perry , Michael Clarke Duncan
- Director: Jonathan Lynn
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some sexuality/nudity and violence
- Last updated: December 2, 2023
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