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"VENUS" (2006) (Peter O'Toole, Jodie Whittaker) (R) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Mild Heavy Minor None Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild None None None Extreme Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Extreme Mild Mild Moderate Mild QUICK TAKE: Drama: An aged and ailing actor unexpectedly falls for his friend's sullen, teenage housekeeper. PLOT: Maurice (PETER O'TOOLE) is an aged British actor who, when not getting the occasional acting gig, hangs out with his friends, fellow actor Ian (LESLIE PHILLIPS) and Donald (RICHARD GRIFFITHS), talking about the old times as well as the effects of getting old. For Maurice, he's facing prostate surgery, a procedure that could leave him both incontinent and impotent. He finds the latter bittersweet since he's just met Ian's 19-year-old grandniece Jessie (JODIE WHITTAKER). She's now working as her uncle's housekeeper and neither is happy about that. Nevertheless, and despite her sullen demeanor, Maurice quickly becomes enamored with her. Of course, he's always been a ladies man, a point that led to his divorce long ago from Valerie (VANESSA REDGRAVE), although the two remain friends. Yet, and despite the massive age difference between them, Maurice finds Jessie alluring, and while she initially finds him to be something of a creepy old man, she eventually befriends him. As she gives him various peeks at and contact with various parts of her body, their friendship evolves into something more, a development that brings pleasure to both, albeit of different varieties. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Unless they're fans of someone in the cast, it doesn't seem too likely. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R For language, some sexual content and brief nudity. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: PETER O'TOOLE plays an aged and ailing actor who finds Jessie tantalizing irresistible, despite her being young enough to be his granddaughter. He comes on to her sexually (despite being impotent due to surgery), uses strong profanity, smokes cigars, and drinks. JODIE WHITTAKER plays Ian's sullen 19-year-old grandniece who doesn't particularly like him while working as his housekeeper and caretaker, but develops an unusual friendship and more with Maurice (although she occasionally finds herself creeped-out by him and/or their age difference). She plays along with him sexually, but also has sex with her boyfriend. She also drinks. LESLIE PHILLIPS plays Maurice's best friend, a fellow aged actor who doesn't like Jessie, uses profanity, and drinks. RICHARD GRIFFITHS plays another friend with whom they occasionally get together. VANESSA REDGRAVE plays Maurice's ex-wife (and mother of his children) with whom he's still friendly. 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 summary of the content found in this R-rated drama. Profanity consists of at least 20 "f" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue (some if it explicit) is present, while sex is implied (we see a young couple under the covers when they're interrupted), while an older man and younger woman flirt in an awkward but sexual manner (that includes her fondling and exposing herself to him). Other nonsexual nudity (breasts, butt) is also seen. Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes, while drinking and smoking are present as is what appears to be recreational pill-popping of prescription medication. Other behavior may be enticing to imitate, a brief fight occurs (as does some other light striking of others), and some scatological material is present. 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. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there are varying amounts of handheld camerawork in the film. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Maurice and Ian pop various prescription pills in what looks like a recreational fashion. Maurice asks Ian about drinks, with the latter saying this isn't a pub. Maurice says he likes whiskey, and tells Jessie that he comes by Ian's place every day for that. Maurice has a drink. Jessie asks if she can have a beer, Maurice opens one for her, and she guzzles it down. Jessie has a beer (and guzzles it) while Maurice has a drink. In another bar, Jessie has a beer and Maurice has a drink. Jessie thinks she's going to be sick (from drinking too much), but then passes out. Ian says that Jessie drank all of his liquor. We see many empty beer bottles in Jessie's bedroom. About Jessie unexpectedly serving Maurice and him, Ian asks if she's on several substances he names "or just the mushrooms." Maurice and Jessie drink together. Maurice and his ex-wife have drinks. Maurice and Ian have drinks, with Maurice asking, "Another large one?" and his friend responding, "Good idea." Miscellaneous people drink. Maurice and Jessie have wine. People have wine at a wake. BLOOD/GORE We see Maurice having a rectal exam, but don't see nudity or the actual medical act. We see a needle going into skin as part of a medical procedure (no blood). Not liking Jessie, Ian talks off hoping to have a finger up his rectum compared with having her around. Jessie thinks she's going to be sick (from drinking too much), but then passes out. Some viewers might be grossed out by the cutting of Ian's old toenails and then having one piece fly off through the air. A comment is made about thinking that Maurice's catheter bag on his leg is dripping. Maurice's on the toilet, but we don't see any related activity or nudity. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Some viewers might not like Ian saying, "I'm screaming for euthanasia." Jessie initially is rude toward Maurice, not answering when he addresses her. Some viewers will see Maurice's sexual attraction to Jessie (who's young enough to be his granddaughter) as being in poor taste, which might also hold true for her occasionally playing along by tantalizing him. Jessie says her mom said she (her mom) would have been better off had Jessie not been born. Jessie states that she got pregnant in the past, her boyfriend stopped being kind to her, and that her mom made her have an abortion. We hear that Maurice left his wife and three children under the age of six (in the past) and his ex-wife comments (in a bittersweet fashion) on the woman who took him away from them. Maurice leaves to allow Jessie and her boyfriend to have sex, but returns early, orders them out, and then gets into a fight with the boyfriend. FRIGHTENING SCENES A major character dies at the end of the film (fading away, nothing scary, but maybe unsettling to some viewers). GUNS/WEAPONS None. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "No he f*cking didn't," "What the f*ck?" "Oh f*ck," "This is not f*cking funny," "F*cking shut it," "Where has the little f*cker gone?" "An enormous f*cker," "The usual sh*t," "Sh*t-head," "You stupid c*nt," "A professor of p*ssy," "Balls," "Handsome young spunker," "Smart ass," "Bastards," "Bloody," "You silly old fool," "I'll stick 'em up your ass," "How are you, my old fool?" "What the hell do you mean?" "You stupid bastard," "Damned ugly" and "Who the hell is Venus?" Maurice and Ian pop various prescription pills in something of a sporting fashion. Maurice slaps himself several times. Jessie wears a midriff-revealing top on several occasions. Jessie has multiple earrings in her ear lobe. We see that Jessie and her boyfriend have the same tattoo. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 20 "f" words, 3 "s" words, 4 slang terms using female genitals ("c*nt" and "p*ssy"), 3 asses (1 used with "hole"), 2 hells, 1 damn, 7 uses of "Oh God," 5 each of "God" and "Jesus," 4 of "Christ," 2 of "Oh Christ" and 1 use each of "Jesus Christ," "Oh God" and "Oh my God." SEX/NUDITY About the thought of his young female helper with no uniform (not seen), Ian tells Maurice, "Don't give yourself a coronary." About Jessie reacting to the taste of something, Maurice tells her he's sure she's swallowed worse. Maurice and his two male friends talk about prostitutes and lap dancers. It's jokingly said about Maurice that he's a "professor of p*ssy." We see that Maurice got Jessie a nude modeling job, but she says she's not going to show what sounded like her "chuffs" or "chops" and bumps, and then says that now he's going to be thinking about them (now that she said that). We then see her modeling for an art class, but only see her bare back as she's otherwise in a towel. However, Maurice tries to sneak a peak through a window above the door to see inside, but he slips off the trashcan he's standing on, thus causing the door to open and swing in, sending him crashing into and knocking over things inside (played for comedy). A classic style painting shows a woman's full rear nudity. Maurice looks in on Jessie and sees her bare back as she lies in bed. About Maurice's pending prostate surgery, we hear that the possible side effects are incontinence and impotence. Jessie flirtatiously asks Maurice if he thought about her while he was gone, with him saying he did all of the time. He then lists her various body parts, including "your behind" and "your c*nt." He then asks if he can touch her hand, but then reminds her he's impotent, although he can still have theoretical interest. Maurice stares at Jessie's butt in her short skirt as she stands up through a sunroof in front of him (while he's seated). Jessie shows cleavage and Maurice kisses on her neck, with her telling him he can kiss her shoulder three times. He does, but then gropes her clothed breast. After a moment (seemingly torn about what to do), she elbows him, causing him some pain. We see Jessie in a bathtub, but don't see any nudity. We later see her in a towel (bare shoulders). Jessie states that she got pregnant in the past, her boyfriend stopped being kind to her, and that her mom made her have an abortion. Jessie tells Maurice he can smell her neck and then says she wants to give him a treat. She then moves her finger to her own crotch (we hear a slight wet sound, but don't see the actual contact). She then reaches her hand out for him to smell, but he goes to taste it, causing her to try to hit him (he blocks the slapping). We see Jessie in a very short skirt. Jessie has Maurice go out for a walk, presumably so that she and her boyfriend can have sex or fool around his place. Later, Maurice returns, only to have the boyfriend (under the covers with Jessie) say he hasn't finished yet, but Maurice yells "out." Jessie shows cleavage. Jessie shows Maurice her bare breast to try to get him to respond, but he doesn't. We see Jessie's bare breast and butt as she does some nude modeling, posing like a famous painting. SMOKING Maurice smokes cigars several times (and is seen in a photo smoking), while Jessie and her boyfriend each smoke at least once. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Maurice falls backwards, we then see him in a hospital, and his family members say good-bye to him (meaning death), but we then see the latter parts are just him acting for some sort of production. Maurice visits his ex-wife (who are on good terms). Jessie says her mom said she (her mom) would have been better off had Jessie not been born. We hear that Maurice left his wife and three children under the age of six (in the past) and his ex-wife comments (in a bittersweet fashion) on the woman who took him away from them. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT May/December type romances between young women and older men. Maurice has a prostate issue and needs surgery. Getting old. Maurice says that for most men, a woman's body is the most beautiful thing they'll ever see. Maurice saying he's about to die and knows nothing about himself. About Maurice's pending prostate surgery, we hear that the possible side effects are incontinence and impotence. Maurice saying he hates sympathy. Maurice checks himself out of the hospital after prostate surgery. Jessie states that she got pregnant in the past, her boyfriend stopped being kind to her, and that her mom made her have an abortion. The comment that when you die, everybody wants to be your friend. VIOLENCE Maurice slaps himself several times. Maurice falls backwards, we then see him in a hospital, and his family members say good-bye to him (meaning death), but we then see the latter parts are just him acting for some sort of production. Jessie twice twists Maurice's clothed chest and/or nipple to cause him some pain (after he takes her shopping, but has no money to pay for her purchases). Maurice gropes Jessie's clothed breast. After a moment (seemingly torn about what to do), she elbows him, causing him some pain. Jessie tries to hit Maurice for going too far with her sexual come-on, but he blocks the slapping. Maurice hits Ian with a rolled up newspaper. Maurice yells for Jessie and her boyfriend to get out after returning to his place and finding them still in bed. After they're dressed, Maurice twice punches the boyfriend and then comes at him with a cane, but Jessie pushes him back and down to the floor. Reviewed December 5, 2006 / Posted February 2, 2007

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