Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+
Lassos midlife-crisis laughs; teens and up.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the main characters get involved in life-threatening situations, such as being gored by a bull and almost dying in a rushing river. Heavy drinking leads to the death of two horses and the maiming of a minor character, as well as a fistfight and threats to kill a calf. Main characters make sexual jokes aimed at women, and one man cheats on his wife. That said, as midlife-crisis comedies go, this one is kinder and gentler than many that have followed it.
- Families can talk about why Mitch is dissatisfied in his life. Does that happen to any of the adults in your household? How does it affect the children? Does Mitch blame his family for his unhappiness? What roles do his friends play in helping Mitch become happy again? How does he resolve his problems? It might be a good time to talk to kids about how adults handle the stresses in their lives (and remind them that it's not their fault when parents are unhappy). That could lead to a larger discussion of how everyone in the family handles stress and unhappiness.
The good stuff
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Positive messages: The message is positive: Love your family, pursue your dreams, become a man (in the best possible sense).
What to watch for
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Violence: Some gun play. Phil threatens to shoot a cowboy; the cowboy threatens to shoot an animal. A character nearly dies in the river.
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Sex: Many sexual comments about women's bodies; Phil cheats on his wife and almost gets his mistress pregnant.
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Language: Numerous cuss words, though not f--k. Usually tied in with sexual references, the worst being "bang the s--t out of her."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drinking leads to death and destruction, as well as fistfights. Curly is constantly smoking.