not for kids
Mature comedy offers lots of raunchy comedy -- plus nudity.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Wanderlust -- which stars Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd and was produced by Judd Apatow -- delivers a lot of the same kind of very edgy material for which Apatow's other crowd-pleasing films (including Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin) are known. There's frequent strong sexual content, full-frontal nudity (many characters are nudists), lots of strong language (including "f--k," "s--t," and many more), drinking, and drug use (pot). The jokes are raunchy, scatological, sex-charged, and plentiful.
- Families can talk about how the filmmakers deal with the fine line between being crude and being funny. Which side do they fall on more often? Who decides where that line falls to begin with?
- Are positive take aways harder to find in this kind of movie? What stays with you longer -- the raunchy humor or the more emotional messages?
- How does the movie portray sex? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
- Why are George and Linda drawn to Elysium? What makes a commune attractive, and what doesn't?
The good stuff
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Messages: Couples need to allow each other to grow in order for relationships to be successful -- but it's important to be respectful while doing so. Also, material possessions aren't everything. But neither is extremism just for the sake of extremism.
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Role models: George and Linda care about each other a lot; they don't always make the right choices, but in the end, they hold their relationship dear. Also, there's something to be said for the commune members, who know how to live with all types of personalities and quirks. (Though that doesn't stop the movie from portraying some of them with pretty broad, semi-stereotypical strokes.)
What to watch for
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Violence: Moments played for laughs include a fist fight between two men over a woman, who later joins the fracas. She also slaps her husband. A man pitches a fit in the middle of a family breakfast, throwing his plate on the floor and punching a cabinet. Later, his relative throws a plate, too.
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Sex: Nudists walk around naked; everything, including their genitalia, is visible (in one scene, a crowd of them even runs in slow motion). Couples freely discuss swapping partners; a man discovers that his wife has slept with someone else, and he, too, flirts with someone else's partner. Lots of jokes about sex, body parts, and affairs. Loving couples kiss and snuggle with each other; one duo is shown under the covers presumably after having had sex. Male news anchors make sexist jokes about a female colleague. A woman discusses a sex toy with her sister-in-law. A woman delivers her own baby in a birth scene.
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Language: Very frequent strong language by most characters, including a child who says "f--k." Other words include "s--t," "ass," d--k," "p---y," "t-t," "hell," "ass," "oh my God," "goddamn," "screw" and more.
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Consumerism: For a movie with a fairly anti-consumerist message, Wanderlust name-drops and displays labels a lot, including Apple MacBook, iPhone, Blackberry, Kinko's, Moet & Chandon, Embassy Suites, Wellbutrin, SkyMall, and more.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Lots of wine drinking and pot smoking, as well as a hallucination-inducing tea that's drunk as part of a "truth circle." Some discussions about what it's like to get high. A woman nurses margaritas and mimosas seemingly all day long to cope with her vacuous life and philandering husband.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Yawnderlust by oldcarmike
Actually it was a fun movie but I think so much more could have been done with it. It was rather slow paced and Paul Rudd's performance kind of dragged the movie down, he just didn't seem to have the timing down for the comedy. Alan Alda was definitely fun as the absent minded hippie founder of the commune. There are a lot of giggles in the film especially if your of the flower generation (most of us have wilted by now) Not a must see but definitely on the see list if have some time to kill, you'll leave with a smile.
4
Wanderlust by redda
Usually I don't like Jennifer Aniston movies because they all the same, but this one was really funny. Liked the rest of the cast too!! Paul Rudd was hallarious.
5
Funniest movie in a long while by kgosler
this movie was one of the funniest that I have seen in a long while - just when you think they can't top something, they do and it is halarious. Great movie - Paul and Jenn were terrific as well as the supporting cast. I highly recommend this movie.
4
Wanderlust: Great Funny Movie by JC7Nice
I enjoyed the comedy and Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston never disappoint. It was so hilarious and especially relating with today's hard economic times, it was great to watch and look at things for what it really is, with laughter things make it better to go thru challenges, especially when you lose your job and /or home. =)
5
Wanderlust by robinsonheringer
This movie was so much better than I expected. I laughed at least 50% of the time, and I mean laughed, not just smiled. You have to see Paul Rudd at his best!
1
Horrid by ebomsta
Horrid! Horrid! Horrid! Every moment of the attempted humor was contrived, drawn out, and just embarrassing. I have never before felt bad for the actors on screen, they have chosen their profession after all, but I was genuinely embarrassed for them. This is truly one of the worst films I've ever seen. Wanderlust was predictable, rude to the point of being uncomfortable, and internally inconsistent. What a waste of time, i'd prefer to pour ashes in mouth than have seen this movie. I only stayed because a close friend hoped it would get better and wanted to stay, it didn't, it got worse. Nothing redeeming in this movie. I suggest you go out and spend time with friends instead, or pour ashes in your mouth; either is far far preferable.
5
Hilarious by Maullace
Being a big David Wain and Paul Rudd fan, I came into this movie with high expectations. I can definitely say I was not disappointed. The comedy in this may be a little out there and raunchy and just downright bizzare for some people, but it was perfect to me. If you are a fan of Wain's past work, such as Wet Hot American Summer, The State, and Role Models, I'm sure you will love Wanderlust.
1
Wanderlust (could be the worst film ever made) by gmhempstead
I want my 100 minutes back. I am so embarassed for Jennifer Anniston and Alan Alda because generally I really like and respect their work. How could they have invested their time and talent in this piece of junk is beyoound comprehension. Are they that desperate for money?
I have not seen every film ever made therefore I can't say this is the worst film ever produced, but of all the films I have ever gone to see in the theatre this is by far the worst.
Please stay home in droves. Don't waste your money.
2
WTF? by Irishhug08
This movie has some really funny parts, but overall it's just weird and not that good. If we could've gotten our money back, we would have. Most definitely NOT for kids, if you're thinking of taking your teen, please consider if you want them seeing lots of naked old people first. Not good Ms. Aniston, not good.
4
Great R rated comedy by BIG_J54
I honestly did not expect much from this movie, I thought it would be ok but I was pleasantly surprised. Paul Rudd is hilarious and Jennifer Anniston is always good to look at.
If you like a good raunchy comedy a recommend this movie.