Pause for kids 16 & under
Talky, uneven "true story" comedy has sex, language.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Lay the Favorite is an uneven, unappealing comedy based on a memoir about a woman who moves from stripping to working in the sports betting industry. Language is the strongest issue, with very frequent use of "f--k," "s--t," and other words. There's also a fair bit of sexual content: Viewers see two topless women, suggestive dancing, a woman flirting with a married man, and kissing (which leads to off-screen sex). There's some shouting and violent threats, but no actual violence.
- Families can talk about Lay the Favorite's sexual references. How does the main character feel about her past career as a stripper and working for a porn website? How do her attitudes toward sex change over the course of the story?
- Is Beth a role model? How does she change over the story? What does (and doesn't) she learn?
- According to Bruce Willis' character, is it more important to make more money or to live a fuller life? Why?