Jumping the BroomMovie Reviews

Poster art for "Jumping the Broom."

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 56 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 OK for kids 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 91
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    You'll laugh - a lot - but you'll also shed tears of recognition at this funny, salty, strife-torn look at the agony and ecstasy of family. Read full review

  • 80
    Los Angeles Times | Kevin Thomas

    This endearing picture is proof that it is still possible for a major studio release to be fun, smart and heart-tugging and devoid of numbskull violence and equally numbing special effects. Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Amy Biancolli

    In style and structure, it mimics an old-style studio effort, a culture-clashing comedy of manners that's tinged with melodrama and filmed in a smart progression of medium shots. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Tribune | Michael Phillips

    The film works because the screenwriters, Elizabeth Hunter and Arlene Gibbs, have a knack for juggling a dozen-plus major characters without succumbing to the obvious class-warfare gags every 90 seconds. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The cast is large, well chosen and diverting. The ceremony is delightful. Read full review

  • 63
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    As wedding stories go, it's an improvement over the dreadful "Something Borrowed," though it doesn't have anything terribly new to say. Read full review

  • 63
    Orlando Sentinel | Roger Moore

    The funny moments outnumber the warm ones. There's a touch of religion and plenty of melodrama, especially in the contrivances of a cluttered and drawn out third act. Read full review

  • 50
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    Instead of being a wild mixture of tones, it has very little tone at all, and moments of dramatic or comic intensity erupt awkwardly and then fizzle out. Read full review

  • 50
    Village Voice | Melissa Anderson

    A late-act crisis precipitated by scandalous maternity news is straight out of the Tyler Perry Academy of Plotting, and all the beseeching of the Lord sounds like little more than product placement. Read full review

  • 40
    Variety |

    A broad African-Amerian family comedy that manages to avoid many of the more predictable cliches of the genre, yet also leaves out the warmth and, too often, the laughs. Read full review

View more reviews for Jumping the Broom on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 13+ Sweet, funny wedding comedy is a good parent-and-teen pick.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this wedding comedy was produced by evangelical preacher TD Jakes. It includes some kissing and discussion of premarital sex/celibacy, but at heart it's an uplifting story about the importance of love, family, and tradition. There are a couple of shots of characters (both male and female) in their underwear, but the action is limited to a few sexy smooches. Language is mild for a PG-13 film, and there's no violence outside of a football match that leaves the groom flat on his back. Some of the issues -- classism within the African-American community, mothers who hate every woman their son brings home, teen mothers forced to give away their babies -- are a bit mature for younger audiences, but the movie could prompt discussion about romantic and family relationships.
  • Families can talk about the movie's message about romantic and family relationships. Does a couple need to share a similar background to have a successful relationship?
  • How does this movie compare to other wedding comedies? Does it send any positive or negative messages about weddings and/or marriage? Why do so many wedding movies focus on the big day rather than what comes after?
The good stuff
  • message true4 Positive messages: Many of the movie's messages center around faith (the film was produced by an evangelical preacher). It also emphasizes the importance of respecting your parents but knowing when it's OK to disagree with them; being truthful with the people closest to you, even if it's hurtful; trusting your children to make the right decision; and not judging others based on their social status or education.
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: Ultimately the bride and groom are admirable role models because they learn to look past their family differences and respect each other's backgrounds and parents. They believe in each other enough to marry, even though their lives are "messy." Mr. Watson refuses to allow Mrs. Watson to push him away, and Mrs. Taylor's best friend and brother-in-law both lovingly encourage her to own up to her misdeeds in trying to break up the wedding.
What to watch for
  • violence false1 Violence: Some mild pushing and shoving during a touch football game.
  • sex false2 Sex: The movie opens with Sabrina fastening her bra; she's later shown in her bra and panties, as is one of the bridesmaids. Jason's uncle and cousin flirt boldly with Sabrina's aunt and bridesmaids. Sabrina's aunt sings Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" in a skimpy dress. The caterer and a bridesmaid kiss and are caught in their lingerie and underwear. The bride and groom kiss passionately a few times. Bridesmaids wonder whether the groom is on the "downlow" or cheating, since the bride-to-be has insisted on premarital celibacy. Teen motherhood is referenced in the story.
  • language false1 Language: Language includes "damn," "hell," "hook up," and "oh my God," plus insults like "stupid," "loser," and the terms "bougie" and "bootstrapper," which are used derogatively to mean "upper class" and "self-made."
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: BlackBerry, Prius, Land Rover, Polo, Lacoste, and a few other brands are on display in the movie.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults are shown with champagne and other drinks at meals and a reception. The wedding party drinks at a bar/restaurant, where one groomsmen says the groom should get "wasted." Sabrina's aunt acts drunk before she takes the stage.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Dave White

3.5

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Class war meets "Cupid Shuffle" Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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