Iffy for 16+
Edgy Barrymore romcom has lots of sex, language.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this refreshing romcom is quite a bit edgier than many of star Drew Barrymore's other, more kid-friendly comedies: It's a frank exploration of long-distance relationships and all of the challenges that come with them, from the emotional to the sexual. There's lots of swearing (including frequent use of "f--k"), plus plenty of references to -- and colorful descriptions of -- sex acts (including oral sex, masturbation, phone sex, and more). A few scenes include some partial male nudity (including a memorable butt shot); there's also a fair bit of drinking and some drug use (the lead characters smoke weed with a bong).
- Families can talk about how the film portrays sex, drinking, and drug use. Do you think it's intending to send any specific messages about those topics? What can some of the real-life repercussions of those behaviors be?
- Who do you think this film is intended to appeal to? How can you tell?
- Parents, talk to your teens about realistic expectations for dating and romance.
The good stuff
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Messages: For the most part, the movie offers positive messages -- including that women and men should be equal partners in a relationship and that the woman isn't necessarily the one who should give up her dreams to pursue her guy. The movie also makes it clear that love is work, but that it's worth it for the right person. A secondary message is that you're never too old to pursue your dream career, despite past mistakes and a late start.
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Role models: The main characters do plenty of iffy things (drugs, drinking, hooking up), but they ultimately have each other's best interests in mind, and have a fairly honest and respectful relationship. Secondary characters bolster the idea that friends and family should be there for you in times of crisis and joy (though they also do iffy things in the name of comic relief).
What to watch for
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Violence: An inebriated woman gets into a shouting match with a guy at a bar and has to be hauled out bodily.
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Sex: Plenty of frank discussion about sex acts (including dry humping, oral sex, and masturbation). A couple has phone sex (viewers see their hands meander under the covers and hear some of the dirty talk). Some scenes in which the central couple is shown in sexual positions and is implied to be having intercourse -- in one, the man's naked behind is visible. In another, non-sexual scene, a main character is shown naked from most angles while attempting to get a spray tan (no genitals shown). Kissing, hooking up. Lots of sexual/body part language, including "penis," "vagina," "d--k," "laid," and more.
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Language: Very frequent use of many swear words -- including "f--k," "s--t," "d--k," "goddamn," "bitch," "laid," "a--hole," "hell," "Jesus" (as an exclamation), and more.
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Consumerism: Some signage for Southwest and Budweiser. Mug Root Beer and Boston Market are also shown/mentioned.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A couple smokes weed through a bong (leading him to call her "Snoop"). They also drink frequently, usually in pubs or bars, with their friends. A lead character gets sloshed one night and nearly cheats.
Fan Reviews provided by
2
Five Word Review by msfit08
Too Many F******G Swear Words!!
5
Quirky, refreshing, adorable, surprising. HILARIOUS. Tons of fun. by AhhRealDevon
This movie was definitely Knocked Up meets When Harry Met Sally. It's smart and believable, the actors are real and I didn't check my phone once which is saying a lot for me considering I'm constantly doing it. My MOTHER and I both enjoyed it, yeah it was dirty in parts but FUN dirty - I am so glad I went and saw this movie. Best Rom Com since 500 Days of Summer. Justin Long and Drew Barrymore have some serious movie magic happening in this one(: GO SEE IT.
3
I'd wait to see it on HBO...or cable by AlisonHylton
The story was there, but a bit choppy, and the charcaters could have been fleshed out more. Granted, it was a Rom Comedy, not a drama. Since I had nothing better to do that night, not a bad use of time. I'd see it again, but wouldn't go out of my way to.
1
NOT FOR SENIORS by lookinggood2
Right from the beginning this film used shocking language and disgusting discussions. We kept hoping Drew Barrymore would clean it up. It only got worse! If this is mature, we're too young for this kind of movie.
3
Five Word Review by Sienasilverstone
Cute... But Not Watch Again
5
terrific! by love2watchu
i LOVED it...very very funny..the worked great together. for me, at least it was unpredictable...such is life! go see it for a great laugh!
3
Not one of Drew Barrymore's better films by mooVsR4me
I was hoping for a light, romantic "chick-flick" but got a "so-so" romance with a constant flow of the "F" word. The excessive foul language ruined the movie. Really a waste of money.
4
Fun. by dmaslyn
This wasn't Oscar material but it was fun enough. (Better than many recent so-called romantic comedies.) Barrymore and Long were believable enough. Applegate and Gaffigan in their supporting parts added to the film too... understated funny (Would've LOVED more of both of them. Some funny and off the wall scenes made us laugh. We liked Long's roommate's "soundtrack" from the next room, the spray tanning, the dining room scene and the follow up Thanksgiving dinner scene. (Not kids appropriate with some of the sex scenes.) We liked it! And we say "go".
4
Going the Distance by NicoleRob02
I thought it was very funny. I love Christine Applegate's charactor...laughed through most of it. The roommate Dan is awesome too!
3
Five Word Review by galosk
CUTE MOVIE BUT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE