The Joneses Review

Messages: It’s simple, really: Things won’t make you happy. They can even make you downright miserable. Still, there’s a reason why spending to get them is so alluring. But there’s a bigger price to pay than what’s on the receipt; and behind every product is a salesperson who cares not a whit about what happens to you if you buy more than you can afford.

Role models: The Joneses are seen as role models in the movie, and yet clearly they’re flawed and, more important, happily so. (They sure do make the pursuit of products look so good.) Others covet what they have and make spending decisions accordingly. Teenagers drink and drive drunk, and hold in high regard those who have the latest and greatest (just like their parents). Many of them suffer the consequences, and the downsides of their seemingly perfect lifestyles are unmasked.

Violence: A teenager punches another guy who makes a pass at him and yells out a homophobic slur. A couple argues loudly. A character commits suicide by drowning himself.

Sex: A teenager is seen quickly getting into the bed of an older man naked, though the audience doesn’t get a glimpse of anything else but her breasts (and only briefly at that). She is also shown under covers with her shoulders bared, making out with another, also older, man. They’re also heard moaning off-camera. A couple kisses passionately a few times. Some sexual innuendos.

Language: Some strong language, including “bitch,” “s--t,” "ass" and "f--k.” Also, one "Goddamn."

Consumerism: Where to start? The film is laden with labels, everything from Van Cleef and Arpels, Audi, MBT sneakers, Dell, YSL, Style.com, and even a toilet named Toto. Many logos are visible, many products name-checked. The movie is practically the Home Shopping Network. But all this is intended to poke fun at our cultural obsessions with products like these.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking; teens imbibe alcohol at a party and drive while loaded; teen pot-smoking and diet pill overuse.