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Georgia Rule Review

Movies.com Critics

0.0

Dave White Profile

… one of the worst movies … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    25

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 0

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    Certain words should be reserved for special occasions. "Abysmal" is one of them, and Georgia Rule is as special as such occasions get.

    Read Full Review

  • 25

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    It tries to pass itself off as a film about feistiness, forgiveness and the bonds of motherhood. Instead, it deals lightly and inappropriately with promiscuity, alcoholism, drug abuse, grief and child molestation. Georgia Rule doesn't make you feel good; it makes you queasy.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    Variety

    No offense to either of them, but Georgia Rule suggests an Ingmar Bergman script as directed by Jerry Lewis. The subject matter is grim, the relationships are gnarled, the worldview is bleak, and, at any given moment, you suspect someone's going to be hit with a pie.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    Georgia Rule oscillates clumsily from shock to slapstick to schmaltz. The result of these big tonal swings is a cinematic strikeout.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

    Proves to be more prone to malfunction than dysfunction.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    It's an interesting, maddening mess -- not a terrible movie, and by no means a dull one.

    Read Full Review

  • 58

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    A clunky family-therapy soaper.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Georgia Rule reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 15+

Lohan acts out in muddled mother-daughter comedy.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that although star Lindsay Lohan is still very popular among kids, this definitely isn't a teen flick (remember, director Garry Marshall is the man behind Pretty Woman as well as The Princess Diaries ...). Lohan's character lies, takes drugs, has sex indiscriminately (she's called a slut several times), and is basically without any inhibitions or common sense. The movie also tackles serious family issues like alcoholism, religion, fractured mother-daughter relationships, promiscuity, and sexual abuse. Teens too young to deal with dysfunctional sexual issues are probably too young to handle the mature themes of this "comedy."

  • Families can talk about whether stars' off-screen lives affect how you perceive them on-screen. Did what you know about Lohan's personal life distract you from her performance? Families can also discuss the need for rules and boundaries. How did Lilly's lack of rules affect Rachel?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Rachel is known to lie, and she can't seem to tell the difference between right and wrong. But in the end she and her mother make amends -- albeit very painfully.

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Lilly frantically pushes and slaps Arnold, who violently shoves her to the floor.

  • sex false5

    Sex: Rachel takes off her panties, spreads her legs, and invites a guy to look and touch (though no nudity is shown). She then says it's his turn and gives the guy oral sex. In nearly every scene, Rachel is wearing either skimpy or cleavage-outlining (to put it mildly) outfits. She tries to seduce an older man and threatens to "f--k" a bunch of girls' boyfriends if they don't stop bothering her. Rachel's sexual history and the possibility of sexual abuse are discussed repeatedly throughout the film. Rachel calls Harlan's belief to wait until marriage for sex "retarded." Lilly kisses two different men.

  • language false3

    Language: "F--k," "s--t," "goddamnit," "ass," "slut," "blow job," etc. Frequent, but not constant.

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Cars: Ferrari and Mercedes.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Rachel drinks and does drugs. Lilly is an alcoholic, and she goes on a couple of drinking binges, consuming many, many bottles of hard liquor.

Fan Reviews provided by

4

not necessarily a 'chick flick' by jennifay3
I actually thought this movie was quite good. Definatly should be rated R in my opinion for sexual content and swearing throughout the whole film. Its not a 'feel good' movie, but it sure does make you think about life. Its a movie that doesn't have another fake perfect family. Lindsay Lohan's character is messed up and so is her mother, but their characters are intriguing to watch and see how the scandals all play out. I'd reccomend it for people over 16..

1

DON"T GO!!! by saraher
I like girl movies, but I think this may be the worst movie I have ever seen in my entire life! First of all, the the publicity for the movie had been total false advertising. Instead of a cute, funny movie, it is about a girl who gets molested. I couldn't believe it. It was so painful to watch, especially since I went with my mom. Beware - it is terriable and Lindsay Lohan's acting is just as painful (and I like her).

3

Georgia Rule by janfeuer
This was a movie that was somewhat slow moving. While the three main characters are very talented and were in the movie it wasn't enough to save the movie. The coming attractions to the movie were very deceptive enticing a watcher into a comedy. There were very serious incestuous undertones in the movie which I wasn't prepared for. I went to see a light hearted movie after a grueling week at work on a Friday night. I walked out having seen a very serious movie with actors playing the parts of hurting individuals. While I think that the movie and writing could have been better the premise did hold my interest and the characters played their parts very well with the script that they were given. Some plot lines could have been dropped and others should have provided more details and character development. Overall I would not necessarily say that this is a must see movie but it would be interesting to someone who tends to go to see a lot of movies and likes this type. Thank you

4

warren youngblood by warrennann
While there was some glaring lacking of knowlege of the LDS Church it points out a problem in the fact thst LDS kids are not world wise and need to be shown how a world experienced person of their own age could take advantage of them. While I usually do not care for Jane Fonda I felt her performance in this movie very well describes a widowed LDS matriarch. who has become set in her beliefs and knows ,in her own mind, how things should be. While the rating was R because of language and sexual content I believe all right wing Christian teenagers (from all religeions) should see it..

4

Adult Content by eje
I liked this movie, went with girlfriends, but was very shocked at some of the sexual content, I understand that it deplicts what happens in real life, but that is not why you go to the movies. I agree with one writer, the ending needed to be done better. I really enjoyed Jane Fonda, Felicity Huffman, and was getting pretty annoyed with Lindsay Lohan's character. I would not take my young teenage kids to see this movie, as I was embarrassed even as an adult with some scenes. Again, anyone that has gone through this situation should be aware of the content, as it does not protray that in the previews. Use discretion when deciding to take your kids to see this one. Would I buy the dvd, no.

4

a OK thing. by SweetTxRugrats
First off, the movie is NOT about molestation it is about SEXUAL abuse, alcholism and real LIFE issues and the effects of it that a family goes through. The story line was really good, even if it was very disheartening to watch the whole time. But, it is dealing with real life issues that a lot of people avoid or just act like there is no such thing-denial. Jane Fonda was great! Lindsay Lohan was a good fit honestly for the role, however her raspy voice is really not becoming at all. All of the cast were really good telling the story. This is NOT to be considered a chic flick, this is basically what happens in sexual abuse andfamily issues. I would NOT reccomend seeing this with a mother figure if the mother is conservative or on the *old fashion* side. This movie does contain foul language, and is a provocative movie. So, it is NOT for young children. I would say for 16y and up though. The movie does have a GREAT lesson to be learned.

5

Georgia Rule - Entertaining Reality by BarbTUSA
From the perspective of two Baby Boomer girlfriends, this was an excellent movie. It wrapped up today's disfunctional family reality into more than one compelling message. It is a great Mother's Day flick for the young women, their mothers and grandmothers of today. The performances of Jane, Felicity, and Lindsay were all stellar, although anyone who has followed the lives of Jane and Lindsay would almost have to concluded the girls didn't need to pull much from their imaginations for inspiration in playing their roles. It is not the movie for an eleven year old mentality or younger (i.e. the "Disney Lohan" fans), but it rings in cold, hard truths for those mothers trying to find connection with their daughters blossoming into young women of the 21st century. Discharge what the less mature movie critics and viewers say. Especially if you're struggling with mother/daughter relationships, you'll want to see this movie.

2

Not your everyday chick flick..... by LillyWC
This is a very vulgar movie.......I thought it was going to be a cool chick flick movie. One that everyone could relate to.... Daughter doesn't get along with Mom, Granny helps, etc... but NO... This is over sexed and extremely disappointing. I can't believe anyone would take their 11 year old to see a R rated movie about molestation. Not very smart... Their synopsis of the movie doesn't even hint at how nasty it is.... I love Garry Marshall but he went too far with this one....

4

Georgia Rules by gdarbyshire
A definite go and see for 30+ moviegoers. Although the movie is dominated by the three women actors, this is not a chic flick but rather a moving and well balanced story line of mother and daughter's underlying difficulties in their estranged relationship. A female "Rebel Without A Cause" sense to it, this picture involves the trauma and raw emotions involved in both parent and child coming to terms with the "hidden demon" of sexual child abuse by a parent. Jane Fonda brings a refreshing humorous side to the movie and acts as the "glue" character-wise between Lohan and Hoffman.

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