Subscribers Only Content Area

Home

New Movies

All Movies

New DVDs

All DVDs

Newsletter

Search

Tell Others About This Page By Using This Button "MONSTER-IN-LAW" (2005) (Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Minor *Heavy Minor *None Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate None None None *Moderate Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy Minor Mild Moderate Mild QUICK TAKE: Comedy: A woman believes she's found the man of her dreams, only to discover that her future mother-in-law is a nightmare determined to undermine their relationship. PLOT: Charlotte "Charlie" Cantilini (JENNIFER LOPEZ) is an attractive and hard working woman who holds down so many different temp jobs that she doesn't have time to date anyone, much to the concern of her best friends Morgan (ANNIE PARISSE) and Remy (ADAM SCOTT). Things change, however, when she repeatedly runs into handsome doctor Kevin Fields (MICHAEL VARTAN) whose ex-flame, Fiona (MONET MAZUR), is still so attracted to him that she tells Charlie that he's gay. Of course, he's not and asks Charlie out, with the two quickly falling in love. Like any good son, he wants his girlfriend to meet his single mom, Viola (JANE FONDA), a former TV talk show host who had a breakdown after losing her job to a much younger and prettier, but dim woman. Seemingly recovered, Viola -- along with her personal assistant Ruby (WANDA SYKES) -- can't believe her ears when Kevin proposes to Charlie in front of her. Viola tries to look calm, but immediately sets out to nip the pending marriage in the bud, any way she can, including moving in with Charlie after feigning another pending mental breakdown. Charlie tries to grin and bear it, worrying that her future mother-in-law is really an unstable and troublesome person. Yet, when she discovers Viola's real motives, Charlie plans to get even, thus leading to a battle of wills, wits and various forms of subterfuge. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're fans of anyone in the cast, they might. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For sex references and language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: JENNIFER LOPEZ plays a woman who hopes to be a fashion designer one day, but who works many temp jobs in the meantime to make a living. She eventually falls for and moves in with Kevin, but must then contend with Viola trying to drive her crazy. When she learns the truth about that, she sets out to get even. She also uses some profanity. JANE FONDA plays her future mother-in-law who sets out to undermine her son's relationship with Charlie any way she can. She drinks a lot and uses some profanity. MICHAEL VARTAN plays her son, a doctor who moves in with Charlie and doesn't really realize what's going on between her and his mother. WANDA SYKES plays Viola's personal assistant who tries to keep her honest and be the voice of reason, and uses some profanity. MONET MAZUR plays Kevin's ex-flame who wants him back. ADAM SCOTT plays Charlie's gay friend who's always giving her advice and trying to help her. ANNIE PARISSE plays their other friend. ELAINE STRITCH plays Viola's mother-in-law who sets her straight about her actions and past. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief look at the content found in this romantic comedy. Profanity consists of at least 5 "s" words (and the "f" word used with "mother" is half-spoken), while other expletives and colorful phrases are uttered. Sexually related dialogue is present, as is some content (a man symbolizes the sex act with his fingers, implied off-screen sex between an engaged couple, a dog briefly seen humping another dog, etc.). Various women sport cleavage (and others are seen in somewhat skimpy attire), while a character is gay (there's related talk, but no activity). A woman and her future mother-in-law briefly get into a comic slapping and hitting match, while other bits of impromptu violence (hitting a person in the face with a frying pan, bashing a face down into a cake) are imagined and also played for laughs. Some of that material may be enticing for some kids to imitate, including a woman purposefully putting nuts into some food, knowing another person is severely allergic to them. Various characters drink, and they and others have varying degrees of bad attitudes, including a future mother-in-law who sets out to undermine her son's pending marriage, while jokes are made and some of the film's humorous content is about mental breakdowns. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Some miscellaneous people drink at a party. Ruby says that the first thing either Viola or her therapist did was make her lock up the liquor. Viola searches through a medicine cabinet and chooses some cold medication for its high alcohol content. Viola says that she needs a bottle of champagne to celebrate and then tells Ruby that she needs the key to the liquor cabinet. Later responding to how Viola is acting, Ruby says about some champagne that they're going to need something stronger than that. We then see Viola guzzle down a martini. Ruby drinks some of Viola's martini. Miscellaneous people drink at a party, and we then see a shot of Viola drinking with some guests. Kevin tells Fiona that all he and her had in the past were strong drinks. We see some wine in front of people. Ruby tells Viola that she'll go get the vodka. Miscellaneous people have drinks with lunch. Charlie and Viola have wine with dinner. Seeing some of Viola's prescription pills (presumably sedatives or anti-anxiety), Remy states that they're good and that he has some at home. Viola tries to get some dirt on Charlie and asks Ruby if she's found out anything about drugs (among other things), but Ruby doesn't mention any findings for that. Viola says "Hello, old friend" to a martini, but Charlie takes it away from her, saying she can't mix that with her prescription drugs. Charlie knows Viola has been taking fake ones, but she's replaced them with the real thing and has Viola take one. Viola then has double vision from that, an echo in her ears and then passes out into her plate of food on the table. Miscellaneous people have wine. Various people drink, including Viola who downs her martini, at a rehearsal dinner. People have wine with dinner, including Viola who downs hers fast. People have champagne at a wedding. Viola's mother-in-law says that when she met Viola, the latter was drinking red wine from a box. Viola makes up a story about the flower girls being drunk again (so that she can talk to Charlie alone). A person jokes that they'll buy another person a box of wine. BLOOD/GORE A man brings a personal medical specimen in a bag to Charlie (in a medical office) and she reacts adversely to the sight and/or smell of what's in the bag (we don't see what it is). Viola fixes "kidney pie" for Charlie for dinner (and Charlie spits out some into her napkin). We see Charlie's lips swollen to an exaggerated fashion from a nut allergy (played for visual humor). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Most of the bad attitudes are played for comedy. Viola is upset that Kevin is going to marry Charlie and does everything in her power to undermine their relationship (played for laughs). Charlie eventually decides to get revenge on Viola for doing that (also played for laughs). Charlie and her friends briefly play with tarot cards (viewers opposed to the occult might not like that). Some viewers might not like Viola supporting Roe vs. Wade and bringing it up in a conversation. Later, when she thinks that Charlie is pregnant, she brings up abortion (among other things) as a way to deal with a pregnancy and thus stop her and Kevin from getting married (thinking that's the only reason they are). Some viewers might not like some of the film's humor revolving around Viola's real and/or faked mental illness, especially when Ruby makes various disparaging remarks about such a condition such as "Fresh off the funny farm," "Looney bin" and "You're taking me for a ride in the crazy mobile." Viola throws a party for Kevin and Charlie, but doesn't inform them it's a formal event and keeps reminding everyone there that Charlie is a temp. She also has a dress for Charlie, but it's purposefully too small. She also sends Fiona up to Kevin's room, hoping that something will happen between them. Viola says something about imagining Kevin as Jesus (or something like that, and some viewers might not like that comment). Viola gets a man to join her in her ruse against Charlie (posing as her psychiatrist). Viola invites Fiona to the couple's rehearsal dinner (to try to undermine the pending marriage). Knowing that Charlie is allergic to nuts, Viola crushes almonds and puts them in some gravy (saying her swollen lips will match the "other parts"). Ruby talks her out of serving that to Charlie, but an unknowing waiter does. Charlie then reacts and briefly panics, but we then see that just her lips are swollen in a comically exaggerated fashion. Viola's mother-in-law refers to Charlie as an "exotic Latina." FRIGHTENING SCENES One of Charlie's dogs bites Kevin on the leg (played for laughs with no blood or suspense unless a viewer is afraid of dogs). Later, a Doberman chases Viola back to the sofa and barks at her (part of Charlie's goal to get back at Viola). It's also played for comedy, but those afraid of dogs might find it unsettling. We briefly see some footage from the horror movie "Nightmare on Elm Street" playing on TV (with some accompanying music). GUNS/WEAPONS None, but Ruby asks Charlie if she has any firearms in the house. When Charlie says she doesn't, Ruby says she might want to get one (referring to dealing with Viola, and played for laughs). IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "Oh sh*t," "Bullsh*t," "I'm sick, sick, sick of your sh*t," "Freaking," "You're right, he is hot," "I used to have such good gaydar," "Idiot," "Your next sugar daddy" (seen on a T-shirt), "I had to start kissing your..." "Crazy bitch," "Shut up," "Fresh off the funny farm," "I could just kill that dog-walking slut," "You're like a damn cockatoo," "I have two asses," "God, men in love are really hot," "Let's get the hell out of here," "She's had fewer lovers than you did on the last day of Woodstock," "Looney bin," "You're taking me for a ride in the crazy mobile," "Fine piece of ass," "Nosey bastards," "Who the hell is that?" "Bad day, my ass," "Girlie," "Little bitch," "Bring it on, grandma," "Damn you and your luggage," "You old slut," "Old bird," "What the hell is she doing here?" "For the love of God," "This is too damn good," "You two-bit tramp," "Holy Toledo" and "Long ass." Morgan does the Jerry Maguire "You complete me" bit by gesturing with her hands, ending with giving "the finger" with both hands. Remy gestures sex with his hands (sticking one finger in and out of others forming a ring) about Charlie and Kevin (and she sees that). Remy wears a t-shirt that reads, "Your next sugar daddy." Viola searches through a medicine cabinet and chooses some cold medication for its high alcohol content. Viola faints at lunch with Charlie, but she may be faking it. Viola fakes crying at night. Viola gets Charlie to sleep in the same bed with her (no sexual intent, she's just trying to keep Charlie from getting any sleep). She then fakes having nightmares, and hits and slaps Charlie while "sleeping." Viola purposefully scares Charlie while the latter watches a horror film on TV. Viola talks nonstop throughout a movie on TV to irritate Charlie. Viola uses an air horn to wake up Charlie, saying she thought it was some air freshener. Charlie switches Viola's pills (from fake ones to the real thing, but some kids may be inspired to change other medication). Charlie "accidentally" flicks some tomato sauce on Viola's designer clothes. We see that Charlie has let some dogs into Viola's room and they're tearing up her belongings. Knowing that Charlie is allergic to nuts, Viola crushes almonds and puts them in some gravy (saying her swollen lips will match the "other parts"). Ruby talks her out of serving that to Charlie, but an unknowing waiter does. Charlie then reacts and briefly panics, but we then see that just her lips are swollen in a comically exaggerated fashion. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 1 incomplete "f" word (used with "mother"), 5 "s" words, 6 damns, 4 asses, 3 hells, 21 uses of "Oh my God," 4 uses each of "God" and "Oh God," 2 of "My God" and 1 use of "Jesus" and possibly "G-damn" (what sounded like that). SEX/NUDITY Charlie (a woman) shows varying amount of cleavage in various outfits throughout the film. We briefly see a dog humping another dog. We see a shot of Kevin jogging shirtless in slow motion, while we briefly see some women in standard bikinis. Remy says that he and Morgan are worried about Charlie, with him saying it's due to her (Charlie) not having sex. Remy shows up wearing an apron and says that he's comfortable enough with his sexuality (he's gay) to wear one of them. Remy spots Kevin and states, "You're right, he is hot." Some miscellaneous women wear cleavage-revealing tops. Working as a party waitress, Charlie walks around with a tray of "shrimp balls." Fiona condescendingly tells her that she and her friends aren't into fish genitalia. A guy tells Fiona that it looks like "someone else is mowing your lawn" (referring to the attraction between Charlie and Kevin). In turn, Fiona tells Charlie that Kevin is gay and right then we see Kevin playfully tussling with another man. In response, Fiona says she can't remember which is the top and which is the bottom (referring to the men). Charlie replies that she used to have good "gay-dar." Later, when Kevin seems to be asking her out, she lets him know that she knows he's gay, asking if he's ever been with a woman or if he's only been with men. He says he isn't gay, and that he likes lots of women (and then amends that to just women). We see some women in standard bikinis on the beach. Remy makes a sexual gesture with his hands (sticking one finger in and out of others forming a ring) about Charlie and Kevin (and she sees that). A young woman sports cleavage. A young female dancer wears small shorts (that the camera briefly focuses on from a frontal view as she sashays her hips) and a top that shows cleavage. We later see Viola interviewing her, and the woman's outfit has stars across the nipple areas of her chest (the flesh-colored top nearly makes it seem like she's topless with just those stars, but she isn't). Kevin asks Charlie if she wants to take a shower (together) and she agrees (but we never see that occur). We hear that Viola has been married and divorced several times since then, including to a man who slept with other men (including possibly another husband of hers). Viola suddenly thinks the reason Kevin and Charlie are going to marry is that Charlie is pregnant. She then tells Charlie about adoption, abortion and lesbianism as options for pregnant women. Charlie later complains that Viola called her a pregnant lesbian. Viola states that the only time men think straight is when they have an erection and it's pointed at a tramp (or something like that). Viola sends Fiona up to Kevin's room, hoping that something will happen between them. She walks in on him in his boxers and tells him to kiss her, stating that it will remind him of how good it was. She kisses on him and says that men in love are hot, but he resists her advances. Charlie tries to put on a dress that Viola has given her, but it's too small and too tight. Charlie complains that she has "two asses" and then the dress tears, revealing a partial panty shot. Kevin tells Charlie that it's a time for a break, so he picks her up and carries her out of the room (somewhat implying sex). Viola tries to get some dirt on Charlie and asks Ruby if she's found out anything about drugs or promiscuity. Ruby replies, "She's had fewer lovers than you did on the last day of Woodstock." Viola talks to Charlie on the phone, while Kevin playfully cuddles with Charlie on the sofa (clothed). Viola then says about Charlie, "That slut is practically fornicating with him." Ruby then says something about a "fine piece of ass." Viola tells Charlie that she was a virgin when she married and "we'll just pretend with you." Viola questions Charlie about how many men she's been sexually active with. Charlie is taken aback and doesn't answer, prompting Charlie to smile knowingly and reply, "That many, huh?" We see Charlie in a bubble bath (nothing seen) talking to Kevin on the phone. She states that she misses him and there are comments about her being naked and wet. Kevin starts to say what he'd do to her, but Viola walks in on Charlie and the phone call stops there. Charlie wears a dress with a bare back. After Viola knees her in the groin, Ruby complains, "I think you dislocated my vagina." Charlie's bridesmaids wear cleavage-revealing dresses. SMOKING A miscellaneous person smokes at a party. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Charlie states that her parents died long ago. We hear that Kevin's biological father died when Kevin was two and that his mom has been married and divorced several times since then, including to a man who slept with other men (including possibly another husband of hers). Charlie and her future mother-in-law don't get along for most of the movie (played for laughs). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Getting along with in-laws. Older people being replaced by younger ones in the media in attempts to appeal to a younger demographic. We see that Kevin and Charlie are moving in together before they're engaged or married. Some viewers might not like Viola supporting Roe vs. Wade and bringing it up in a conversation. Later, when she thinks that Charlie is pregnant, she brings up abortion (among other things) as a way to deal with a pregnancy and thus stop her and Kevin from getting married (thinking that's the only reason they are). Charlie states that she's more spiritual than religious. We briefly see Remy (who's gay) in Viola's clothes. Remy brings another man to Charlie and Kevin's wedding. A guy hits on what appears to be a young woman, but she turns out to be an underage young girl (initially unknown to him, and he reacts adversely when he finds out). VIOLENCE One of Charlie's dogs bites Kevin on the leg (played for laughs with no blood or suspense unless a viewer is afraid of dogs). We hear the sounds of Viola thrashing things in her dressing room or office. Upset about being replaced by a young woman, Viola jumps another young woman in her chair (while interviewing her), knocking her and the chair over (played for laughs). Viola grabs Charlie by the hair and repeatedly bashes her face into a cake in front of her, but we then see that what just a fantasy on Viola's part (played for comedy). Viola gets Charlie to sleep in the same bed with her (no sexual intent, she's just trying to keep Charlie from getting any sleep). She then fakes having nightmares, and hits and slaps Charlie while "sleeping." Charlie imagines smacking Viola on the face with a large frying pan (played for laughs). We see that Charlie has let some dogs into Viola's room and they're tearing up her belongings. Ruby tries to stop Viola from putting nuts into some gravy to get at Charlie through her nut allergies. The two struggle, with Viola kneeing her in the groin and hitting her with a drawer. Charlie and Viola start poking at each other. That then escalates into them slapping each other hard, followed by punching and other hitting (all played for laughs). Reviewed May 3, 2005 / Posted May 13, 2005

Advertising Info

Info/FAQ

Mail

Sneak Previews

Parenting Food Health Home Pregnancy Beauty News

Privacy Statement and Terms of Use and Disclaimer
By entering this site you acknowledge to having read and agreed to the above conditions.

All Rights Reserved,
©1996-2010 Screen It, Inc.