Relative Chaos

Common Sense Media says

Sibling rivalries resurface at family reunion.

Age(i)

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Quality(i)

 
Write a review

What parents need to know

Positive messages

Although the parents' intentions were good, it's clear that their three kids suffered from the focus on competition during childhood. The siblings' relationships revolve around degrading put-downs and a constant desire to one-up each other. When it comes down to it, however, the family members love and back each other. One prominent character is Asian.

Violence

A lone scene with a gun ends in the accidental shooting of a foot, which remains bandaged for the rest of the movie. The only other lasting injury results from a lawn dart impaling a foot. Other physical exchanges include hitting, slapping, and choke holds in childlike sibling rivalry among adults.

Sex

Mild kissing scenes, sexual innuendos, and teasing about lovemaking are common among adults. (For example, a dad needles his son about overhearing him "begging for a session" with his wife.) One breathless post-sex scene of a couple under the covers; in another scene, a man accidentally joins his kids' nanny in the shower and steals a few peeks. One unmarried couple is shown sleeping in the same bed, and the subject of an illegitimate child is brought up.

Language

Relatively mild: "hell," "pissed," "son of a bitch," "ass," "damn," etc.

Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Two drinking scenes featuring adult characters (one in a bar and one at home). One character gets drunk (the effects are gone by the next day).

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that adults indulge in a lot of juvenile behavior -- including name-calling, pranks, and constant bickering -- throughout this movie. But teen viewers who can put it into context will enjoy the comedy that results. Although all of the sexual content is implied rather than shown (there's no nudity below the shoulders), its prevalence will probably rule this one out for the tween crowd. The movie offers a glimpse at the link between a person's childhood and personality traits like low self-esteem and persistent overachieving.

User reviews

Review this title!

Parents say

Not yet rated
Review this title!

Kids say

Not yet rated
Review this title!

What's the story?

In RELATIVE CHAOS, a family reunion offers the competitive Gilbert family the opportunity to set aside age-old rivalries and just enjoy one another's company for a change. Up-and-coming attorney Dil (Christopher Gorham) arrives at his childhood home to find his parents (Terry Bradshaw and (Fiona Reid) in the throes of planning the 25th Gilbert Family Cup contest, an annual affair they invented years ago to build their kids' confidence through "healthy" competition. The event pits brother against sister (against brother) as Gil (Nicholas Brendon), Lil (Jenn Robertson), and Dil battle it out in events like hippity-hop croquet, Rubik's Cube deciphering, and identifying figures hidden in mosaic pictures. As the contest looms, Dil endures merciless ridicule from both his siblings and his parents for never having won the cup. Only Dil's girlfriend, Katherine (Charisma Carpenter ), believes that he can take the title, and she makes it her personal mission to motivate him to put the past behind him and win at all costs.

Is it any good?

QUALITY
 

Though the premise of Relative Chaos is a bit far-fetched (adults on hippity-hops?), it offers a tongue-in-cheek look at a lovably dysfunctional family whose problems might just be an extreme version of those shared by viewers. Bradshaw particularly shines as a flawed father whose priorities are so shaky that he cursed his kids with rhyming names, and he delights in their stunned reactions when a family trivia event brings to light many of the lies he told them when they were young.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about competition. What do people learn from engaging in competition? How can losing affect us? How does an opponent's poor sportsmanship hurt our own self-confidence? How should winners react to a victory? Families can also discuss sibling relations. Why is it sometimes difficult to get along with brothers and sisters? What can parents do to help their kids relate better?

TV details

Cast:Christopher Gorham, Fiona Reid, Terry Bradshaw
Network:ABC Family
Genre:Comedy
TV rating:TV-14

This review of Relative Chaos was written by

Emily Ashby

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

Find out more

Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

Find out more

About our buy links

When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.
Read more

See more about how we rate and review.

Great handpicked alternatives

Browse more TV

Top advice and articles

What parents and kids say

Write a user reviewThere aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Poll

Did our review help you make an informed decision about this product?

Poll

What are the different ways that you access Common Sense Media ratings and information? (Check all that apply)

Essential Apps Guide