OK for kids 13+
Fish-out-of-water romcom is teen-friendly but a real snooze.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this Hugh Grant/Sarah Jessica Parker romantic comedy is a classic fish-out-of-water tale that could appeal to romcom-loving teens, despite its bland story. There are a few kisses and references to sex, marriage, and infidelity. Strong language is surprisingly infrequent (one "s--t" and "bulls--t"), and most of the violence -- including minor gunviolence (and gun use in general, in the parts that take place in Wyoming), as well as some comical scenes involving bear spray -- is concentrated briefly at the beginning and the end of the movie. Expect a fair bit of product placement/promotion, including BlackBerry, Gillette, and more.
- Families can talk about the movie's gun violence and hunting jokes. Is the gun use in the movie meant to be comical? Is it?
- How are both New Yorkers and people from Wyoming portrayed? Is the characters' depiction realistic or stereotypical?
- Why do you think the fish-out-of-water genre is so popular? What's funny about seeing people out of theircomfort zone?
The good stuff
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Messages: Paul and Meryl learn to appreciate what Wyoming has to offer -- open sky, a slower pace, and friendly, unjaded people -- even though they're die-hard, snotty New Yorkers. The importance of fidelity and loyalty in marriage is another obvious theme.
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Role models: Emma and Clay are positive role models for a loving and lasting -- albeit imperfect -- marriage. Paul and Meryl are at first very annoying, sterotypical New Yorkers (especially Meryl), but they eventually prove that small towns have something to offer even the most cynical, overly chatty city folks.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some gun violence, but nothing bloody. A man with a knife in his back plunges to his death, and a hit man tries to shoot a couple. The same hit man opens fire again in a crowded place. Most of the population of Ray, Wyo., is armed (legally, it's presumed) with guns, and a couple of scenes revolve around characters learning to shoot a rifle and then using it against the hit man. Comical violence includes the use of bear spray on a man -- twice.
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Sex: Paul and Meryl kiss a few times and cuddle (in their pajamas) in bed together. They also discuss Paul's adultery on several occasions. Secondary couples dance, flirt, and kiss as well, but nothing too risque.
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Language: One "s--t" and "bulls--t" is the worst of it. Other mild insults/exclamations include "screw you," "hell, yeah," "idiot," "oh my God," and "stupid," as well as Britishisms like "bloody" and "bollocks."
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Consumerism: Several brands are featured fairly prominently: BlackBerry, Google, Gillette, Carhartt, Edge, Advil, and Hunt's ketchup. Also lots of New York-specific places and publications, like the Times, New York magazine, Nobu restaurant, Zabar's, etc.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: An elderly man smokes cigarettes in his restaurant. Paul and Meryl have wine on their table at dinner.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Did You Hear About the Morgans by dsaloway
I go to the movies once a year and like to go and enjoy myself. I do not go to the theatre to be scared or to think. I want plain simple entertainment! This is what this movie is all about. I really got into this movie and would suggest it to everybody who wants to just have fun and laugh.
5
Truly Funny by Donnaree
My family and I went to see this movie and laughed all the way through it. Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker were a good fit. We really enjoyed this movie. Also, since my 9 year old went, we were pleased there was no profanity or naked scenes. Very well done movie.
5
Five Word Review by archer.annie002
great funny intriguing capturing suspenseful
4
Did You Hear About The Morgan's? by snowfall85
It is a fairly predictable romantic comedy. I however really liked it. There were lots of laugh out loud moments and SJP and Hugh Grant were suprisingly good playing opposite each other. I didn't really know what to expect but they were. All in all I think the movie is a good one to go see.
4
Fun Movie by Mamoo8
My husband and I went to the movie as a Sunday morning date. We enjoyed the interaction between Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. Their comedic timing was good. While some of the lasser characters were lacking in their audience appeal and/or talent, overall we felt this was a good movie for anyone to see. There are some great laugh out loud moments and some "oh, yeah, been there/done that" happenings.
3
Wanted to give this a go.... by lovestalentmoviefan
...but if folk are looking for advice on spending the money,I have to say not worth theatre price.Matinee,maybe. Personally,cause I like clean movies, Hugh Grant and lightheartedness once in awhile,my personal rating is a GO. For a familiar concept , the script does have a few originalities. Nothing is thoroughly developed though. For some reason many jokes seemed just short of real hilarity. Hugh does always seem to play the same guy and I fear he is getting to old to venture into much else,although I thought he had the potential. SJP,I never got the appeal,but she did do fun and neurotic well here. It is true the pair didn't show any real chemistry,but were still enjoyable to watch. WHAT REALLY DISAPPOINTED ME:S.Elliot and M.Steenbergen have always been solid supporting actors,but they were totally wooden here. I felt like Elliot was just doing his job and Steenbergen was on delayed reaction drugs. I have never been let down by them in the past.Wow. mat or dvd.
4
Watch This Movie Online Free at F L Y 14 . C O M by Sally_Rides
Watch This Movie Online Free at F L Y 14 . C O M
4
Did you hear about the biased movie critics? by dggabrielsen
I believe that many movie critics must be anti-family and anti-marriage. No, this movie is not deep nor does it have grand visual effects. The plot is not especially profound. However, if you've ever had times in your marriage when you wanted to quit - then this is for you. We see a couple that has some difficulties and they are forced to resolve them. In the end they wind up stronger and more connected than they were before. It is nice to see Hollywood reflect a positive marital message.
I do not laugh out lout very often, but there were some genuinely funny lines in the movie. We went with anther couple and they too enjoyed the movie. There is not an option to grade the 'message' of the movie. However, I'd give it an A+. If you are married, please go see this movie and support positive messages like this from Hollywood. There is little about this movie to be offended by - unless you get offended by a difficult marriage being saved.
4
A Pleasant Afternoon by EnDash
"The Morgans" is pleasant fun with a slightly novel plot. Well acted and photographed. The Western scenes are especially to be appreciated by us city dwellers. All in all, an enjoyable couple of hours for married couples and adult singles.
1
Did you hear about the horrible dialogue?! by embalmer1
Horrible dialogue made even these great actors awkward and so hard to watch. Hugh Grant is all about the pithy words and had absolutely nothing to work with. I couldn't tell what Mary Steemburgen was trying to accomplish with her strange speaking style and pattern that seemed so forced. Sam Elliott (who doesn't love him???) was under-utilized and underspoken in a way that was intended to be climatic when he finally did speak --- but only fell flat. SJP was neurotic and grating to the nerves and wholly unlikable.
The way the small town was portrayed was patronizing and simple-minded. It was like a bunch of libs got together and provided us with their biased interpretation of a conservative town- made everyone (even the town doctor) dumb as stumps. They had more material to work with in the story other than what they decided to present. Pretty big disappointment.