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Parents' Guide to

Welcome to Mooseport

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

For Ray Romano fans only.

Movie PG-13 2004 110 minutes
Welcome to Mooseport Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

Matt B.
Matt B. Adult
October 29, 2015
age 8+

This movie is below the PG-13 level

This movie should be PG because there is no frontial nudity. There is some language but nothing strong.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In this comedy, President Monroe Eagle Cole (Gene Hackman), the most popular President of modern times, retires to his summer home in the tiny town of Mooseport, Maine and ends up running for mayor against "Handy" Harrison (Ray Romano), the handyman who owns the local hardware store -- and dating his girlfriend (Maura Tierney), too.

Is It Any Good?

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

WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT has a juicy premise and a stellar cast (Marcia Gay Harden and Christine Baranski also costar). So, if the script never rises above the sitcom level, at least the lines are delivered by people who are so good they almost seem like wit. Romano makes a respectable transition from television to film, and if he looks uncomfortable in the love scenes, at least that works with the character. Hackman is sheer pleasure, showing us everything that made Cole want to be President, get to be President, and succeed as President.

There are some nice low-key details and some sly digs at modern politics and celebrity. But please, can we now have a moratorium on guys-who-can't-take-risks-or-commit plot lines? And shrewish she-got-the-mine-I-got-the-shaft first wives? And long-suffering-but-devoted-aides-de-camp with a crush on the boss? And cutesy old folks who use terms like "booty poodle?"

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their own elected officials and whether they would ever like to run for office.

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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