Iffy for 17+
Mature relationship dramedy heartfelt, but also cliched.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Friends with Kids is a dramedy about adult relationships and having and raising children -- themes that may not particularly appeal to younger viewers, despite a cast filled with Bridesmaids veterans like Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Jon Hamm. Characters frankly assess the challenges of child-rearing, making the movie honest to a degree that young kids won't probably be able to process or understand with nuance. There are also open, graphic discussions about sex (what it's like pre- and post-baby, what happens to the body and libido, etc.), and a few scenes that show sex/implied sex (no sensitive nudity). Marriages are depicted in various stages of tension and discord; relationships are fuzzy and confusing. Characters swear frequently and colorfully ("f--k," "s--t," etc.) and do plenty of social/a bit more than social drinking.
- Families can talk about Friends with Kids' messages about relationships. What is it saying about single life? Married life? How accurate do you think it is? Do movies give us a realistic portrait of relationships in general?
- Why do movies see parenting as rife for comedic material? Do they exaggerate it in any way? Do you think the characters in this movie are good parents? Why or why not?
- Do Jason and Julie's reasons to have a baby make sense? Or are they the kind that only seem to come up in movies?
The good stuff
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Messages: Somewhat obscured by the usual romcom dance -- girl likes guy, guy loses girl -- that can sometimes mislead younger viewers into thinking that every romance worth having requires a lot of drama is the message that wonderful relationships can come from deep and abiding friendships. Also, it's nice to be able to lean on our friends for help, and kids don't need to damage friendships -- they just change the tenor of it.
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Role models: Julie and Jason are both sweet and caring friends, as well as (mostly) communicative and supportive. They don't always behave in exemplary fashion (one-night stands, crass comments, etc.), but at heart they're good people. Their friends are, too, even if they get lost amid the chaos of relationship and family drama and act out in sometimes hurtful ways.
What to watch for
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Violence: Loud arguments sometimes take place in public, humiliating many of the people involved.
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Sex: More talk than action, but plenty of talk, including suggestive banter, graphic language ("blow job," "vagina," "jerked off") and frank discussion of sexual acts/positions/desires. Brief glimpse of porn footage (nothing overly explicit). Friends sleep together in a scene that starts out awkward but becomes more tender (no graphic nudity). Other scenes show kissing/making out that (presumably) leads to sex. Loud moaning is heard. References ot masturbation. Lingerie-clad women are seen.
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Language: Frequent but not constant use of words including "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "douchebag," "d--k," "damn," "Jesus" (as an exclamation) and more.
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Consumerism: Labels/brands seen include Budweiser, Stella Artois, Kolcraft, Mercedes, Apple (iPhones and laptops), Zipcar, Magnolia Bakery, and more. Jason works in beer sales.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Plenty of drinking by adults, mostly social in nature (at restaurants, dinners, bars, etc.) but sometimes to excess. One character in particular is suggested to be especially fond of/dependent on her wine.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
We thought is was supposed to be a Comedy by 1952critic
All the trailers made it seem like the movie would be a funny one. While there are a few funny scenes, the movie is much more serious. The characters were believable and the ultimate outcome was predictable. Bring tissues!
4
Quite Enjoyable by Nyrod
I thought it started out a little slow, but I soon got into it. Seemed to have a Woody Allen flavor to it. Great job by Adam Scott, who is quite a talent who is really coming into his own. This is not a movie for kids since there is quite graphic language. I do recommend seeing this film.
5
Friends with Kids by jfbuckles
This movie was so very true and spoke to us as a married couple with two little kids. The movie was funny and heartfelt. Would recommend it to all of my friends, married with kids, or not.
1
Friends with Kids by stevebooth
This movie is an embarrassment. Neither of the the lead characters were interesting, funny or insightful. The rest of the cast was lost. I thought this was going to be a funny movie - ala Bridesmaids. It's not. Then I thought maybe there was some insight into relationships - like a Woody Allen film. Wrong again. Many scenes were excruciating - like being stuck at a dinner table or at a party with a bunch of people you can't stand. Too bad because there was a lot of talent in the cast. What was Ed Burns doing in this movie? Jon Hamm is a good actor - I really liked him in The Town. But in this one I have no idea what he was doing. Save your time and $$ and do a pay per view at home!!
2
Serious disconnect by mannthemoon
First, just becuase this movie contains a large number of actors from Bridesmaids, do not expect this movie to be even remotely close. I was disappointed to find that over 50% of this movie is pretty serious (not funny). Second, and I do not say this often, I could not connect with these characters at all. I just did not get it. I won't give away the plot, but it was just so poorly done that I literally thought about walking out. I have kids, and I love to laugh at how stupid people with kids act, but I was completely put off by the characters in this movie and the way they carelessly treated each other. Big waste of money and time. My opinion.
3
Good but not great by dcp87
Watched the movie and enjoyed it, but I think there were problems with it. The movie happens over a large period of time so rather than sticking to relationships and dynamics, you just have to roll with it and expect that "this is the way things are now". I think that if the movie slowed down a little bit, the story could hold more weight. That being said, there were some emotional scenes that really packed a punch.
Also, I know the idea of the movie was to avoid the pitfalls of marriage, but I think that they created a pretty negative view of it with the two other couples and I would have liked more glimpses into what worked in their way of life. And while I respect them taking on more dramatic roles that they played convincingly, I do wish there could have been more comedy with Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph as part of the cast.
1
Westfeldt wears too many hats, and her film suffers. by chilibeanie
Writer/director/producer/star Jennifer Westfeldt has a lot to say in "Friends With Kids"...a LOT. The first part of this film is so full of dialogue that it was like watching a hipster version of "The View". In an attempt to make the moments seem natural (I'm assuming), her cast simply talks over each other nonstop.
When the dust finally settles, we find Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) deciding to have a child while maintaining their friendship, an idea that their friends think is ludicrous. And boy, is the joke on them- Julie and Jason's plan succeeds while their friends' relationships crumble and their parenting skills leave much to be desired. In the third act, when things get complicated and our comedy decides that it wants to be a drama, the lack of chemistry between Westfeldt and Scott left me uninvested in their future.
I really wanted to love "Friends With Kids", but it was pretentious, trying way too hard, and an absolute waste of the cast's talents
2
It's FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS meets THE BACK-UP PLAN by ralphkjb
Started out strong; lot of laughs, but then it got too serious for my tastes. I don't think I'm gonna rush out and buy the blu-ray.
3
friends with kids by Klinkebean
All the performances were great, but the dialogue and plot were a bit cliche - there were also many genuine moments where the movie took risks and got a little edgy. It's worth seeing - but you should really wait for the DVD.
3
"Friends With Kids" - not bad for a Sunday afternoon by akylefar
Saw the movie yesterday - liked the comedy, but didn't like the convenient wrap up at the end....Not enough from Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudoloph, but cute nonetheless, and a decent film for a Sunday afternoon.