not for kids
Violent, crude Spanish Will Ferrell comedy not for everyone.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know although Casa de mi Padre is a Will Ferrell comedy, it's probably too offbeat/odd to attract his usual fans (especially the kids who love Elf), though older teens may eventually see it as a cult classic. It's spoken almost entirely in Spanish (with English subtitles), and content is very mature throughout -- there are highly stylized violent shootouts with lots of blood and dead bodies, plus a lengthy sex scene with naked bottoms shown -- all played for laughs. Strong language (mostly in the English subtitles, but some also spoken in English) includes "f--k," "s--t," and more. A major character deals cocaine, and the drug is sampled onscreen. Characters are also seen drinking and smoking in a bar.
- Families can talk about Casa di mi Padre's extreme gore and violence. Is it clear that the scenes are meant to be funny/played for laughs? How can you tell?
- The movie's lengthy sex scene is also seemingly played for laughs. Is it harder to portray tender emotions onscreen than it is to go over the top with crude humor? Why?
- Is Ferrell's character a coward? Is it necessary to be violent to show bravery? What are other ways of showing bravery?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's big question has to do with choosing whether or not to fight -- and whether not fighting indicates cowardice. The movie seems to say that, when your family is at stake, it becomes necessary to stand up and fight.
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Role models: The main character is a peaceful rancher who's appalled by anything illegal or unsavory. But his peaceful nature is perceived as cowardice, and he must find bravery within himself to make a stand for himself and his loved ones (although this stand does include heavy violence).
What to watch for
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Violence: The movie's climax is a highly stylized, gory shootout with gallons of blood and dead bodies. Over the course of the rest of the movie, minor characters are murdered in gruesome ways, and there are threats and arguments.
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Sex: A long sex scene plays like a parody of ordinary sex scenes (it's intended to be funny). A man and a woman appear naked; bare bottoms are seen many times, but no other sensitive body parts are shown. Several female characters are shown wearing skimpy outfits for men's pleasure.
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Language: Strong language is spoken (mostly) in Spanish and subtitled in English. Words include "f--k," "s--t," "p---y," "d--k," "damn," "hell," "goddamn," and more.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: One of the main characters is a drug dealer. Characters are seen sampling cocaine. Characters are also seen drinking and smoking in a bar.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
Horrible...even if you're a Will Ferrell fan! by JoiaRox
This movie started out with great promise, with a brilliant introduction featuring songstress Christina Aguilera and a comedy scene reminiscent of Will Ferrell's comedy. However, the movie was completely predictable and went downhill from it's opening. I fell asleep for 20 minutes near the end, but my boyfriend stayed wide awake and suffered. Even sleeping for a portion of the movie, I missed nothing and was able to pick up the plot where I had left off.
I get that the movie is making fun of Spanish "novelas," and it seems that those in the audience who speak Spanish and get that cultural stereotype enjoyed the movie far better than my boyfriend and I. However, my boyfriend is a HUGE Will Ferrell fan - I had surprised him by taking him to this movie on it's opening night. And? He was gravely disappointed in the content, plot and pace of this movie...a tough review from someone who loves Ferrell so much.
Do NOT waste your money on this film!
3
hmmm by djfingers
It's not a movie for everyone, not even sure for who it is worth seeing. It was interesting, but not funny enough. They definitely made some bold choices, but didn't pull off the movie in the end. My Fiance hated it, I found it interesting, but not very funny. For the most part the theatre was quiet the whole time, just a few chuckles here and there.
5
LMAO by young.sav
This movie was so funny. Everyone in the theater was laughing so hard through a huge percentage of the movie.MUST SEEE!!
4
Fun ride by lonestar245
I saw Will Ferrel on a local morning show talking about this movie. I dialed up youtube and watched a couple of previews- and I know I was "all in" as this was right up my alley. Went opening night with my wife and a friend (who expected not to like it so much) and both said "thumbs up". I gotta say this was even more to my wife's liking- exactly her taste in a comedy.
I really enjoyed the effort put into this film to make it look "cheap", and all the cultural nuances as well. It seem to equally offend and tickle the Mexicans and gringos in the audience. It was strange how many Mexicans were at this film in this neighborhood, and odd so many brought the whole family- even little kids- like maybe 4 or 5 years old. After all, it is an R rated film, as it should be for sex, violence, and pure shamelessness.
I want to say "must go" but that is reserved for the most amazing films.
3
Some funny parts by tmeno55
For me, this movie was more like a series of Saturday Night Live sketches. A few were
very funny, some not so funny and some very un-funny. The Spanish dialogue with English subtitles was not as cumbersome as I thought it would be, but it was still a bit of a nuisance. Why was it even necessary? Will Ferrel was just OK in this one and the other actors and actresses were somewhat stiff and not believable.
2
Just not very funny
I love Will Ferrell, but this movie really wasn't funny. There were a couple of points where I giggled because it was so 'off the wall' stupid. But other than that, there really wasn't anything to this movie.
4
Thumbs Up! by slapstick_soul
Yeah it's different, but it was certainly entertaining. Will Ferrell was surprisingly believable through his spanish speaking ability and couldn't have played the part better. Props to him! I found the cheesy backdrops, props and editing choices to actually be very comical due to the fact that it was not too overdone. If you are considering going to this movie, keep in mind that it is a Will Ferrell film, if you are not a fan of Will Ferrell and his humor or subtitles this is not the movie for you!
5
Wes Anderson on Meth by gabeuhr
Muy interesante y hilarioso!
2
A few funny parts but pretty unwatchable as a whole by neves7
The is the first movie I have ever walked out of midway through. Even though there were a few laugh out loud parts, the story and premise was pretty unwatchable. I get that its supposed to look like it's bad acting, and that the over pronounced gestures, pauses, and laughing is supposed to be ridiculous, but after 10 minutes, it just got over played and boring. Definitely a rental.
5
GREAT MOVIE ...SHOOT I WAS EVE IN IT! by Djkirby
GREAT MOVIE, I ENJOY THE WHOLE MOVIE, I KNOW YOU MIGHT REFRAIN BECAUSE IT'S ALL IN SPANISH BUT IT'S FUNNY EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO READ (SUBTITLES) THE MOVIE.