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"MAD MONEY" (2008) (Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Moderate Minor Heavy Minor Moderate Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Moderate None Minor Minor Moderate Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy None Minor Moderate Mild QUICK TAKE: Comedy: Three women who work at the Federal Reserve team together to steal money that's scheduled to be destroyed. PLOT: Bridget Cardigan (DIANE KEATON) is a suburban housewife with two grown kids who enjoys her comfortable lifestyle. Thus, she's shocked to learn that her husband, Don (TED DANSON), has lost his job and put their house up for sale due to them being $286,000 in debt. Needing a job to try to save their house, Bridget gets hired as a custodian at the Federal Reserve's Kansas City office. There, she learns to her shock that they destroy money that's been taken out of circulation, all of which gives her a criminal idea -- since the money is going to disappear anyway, what's the harm in stealing it? The problem, of course, is that the place is crawling with guards such as Barry (ROGER R. CROSS) and Shaun (FINESSE MITCHELL), not to mention their eagle-eyed boss, Mr. Glover (STEPHEN ROOT), who sees, hears, and knows most everything about the place, and has no intention of anything going down on his watch. Then there's the fact that Bridget obviously can't pull off such a heist by herself, so she sets out to get some inside help. She's obviously needs someone who can transport the cash, and thus taps flighty cart pusher Jackie Truman (KATIE HOLMES) who lives in a camper with her husband Bob (ADAM ROTHENBERG), a meatpacker. More important is single mom Nina Brewster (QUEEN LATIFAH) who's the one who actually does the money shredding. Initially reluctant, she eventually agrees to the scheme when she realizes what good the money would do for her kids' education. From that point on, the three women decide how they're going to pull off their heist, and must then deal with the repercussions of doing so. 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: PG-13 For sexual material and language, and brief drug references. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: DIANE KEATON plays an empty nest mom who returns to the workforce after her husband loses his job and they face foreclosure on their home. Employed as a custodian at a Federal Reserve branch, she masterminds the plan to steal uncirculated money that's about to destroyed, but gets greedier as they go. She uses some profanity. QUEEN LATIFAH plays her coworker whose job is shredding the money. A single mom, she only agrees to the plan when she thinks it will help her children's educational future. She also uses profanity. KATIE HOLMES plays their other coworker, a flighty woman prone to dancing about while listening to her headphones at work where she serves as a cart pusher. Several comments are made about her being a druggie, but no use is noted. She does use some profanity. TED DANSON plays Bridget's husband who's lost his job, thinks they're financially ruined, and is shocked at his wife's devious and criminal plan. When the money starts rolling in, however, he more than willingly participates in the scheme, although he worries about her becoming too greedy. ROGER R. CROSS plays a Federal Reserve security guard who witnesses Nina's part of the robbery, but rather than turn her in, he warns and then eventually joins her and the others in their criminal scheme. ADAM ROTHENBERG plays Jackie's husband, a slightly dimwitted meatpacker. STEPHEN ROOT plays the eagle-eyed and always alert security manager at the Federal Reserve branch who thinks he sees, hears and knows everything about the place and the people who work there. FINESSE MITCHELL plays another security guard there who comes on to some of the female employees. 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 PG-13 rated comedy. Profanity consists of at least 7 "s" words, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue is present, while there's a very brief but close-up view of money being placed in a stripper's G-string, a woman stuffs money into the front of her panties, and a male guard gropes a woman's clothed breasts while checking her for contraband. There's some making out that leads to presumed, off-screen sex, while a man moons other men. A camper is purposefully blown up by the owners to cover up evidence, while various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes (mostly comedy based). Potentially imitative behavior is on display, including the theft of money, while a little bit of comedy-based, tense family material is present. Various scenes feature drinking, while various drug-related comments are made, including some indicating a major character is a drug user, but no use is seen. Some crude humor (mostly dialogue based) is also present. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE People drink at a party. As Bridget tries to find a job over the phone, she's told she would have to take a drug test, and she naïvely asks what kind of drugs she would have to take. In a quick montage of where money has been while in circulation, we see some placed near a homeless person who has a bottle of booze by him. About Jackie, Nina half-jokingly states, "Somebody is definitely peeing in her cup" (presumably referring to passing a drug test at work). Bridget, Nina, and Jackie drink in a bar as do others around them. Bridget tells Jackie that if Jackie's drug use affects her, the plan is over. About her use of needles, Jackie says it's from juvenile diabetes, but other comments are made about her being a drug user although we don't see any such use. For instance, Nina makes a comment about a "dimwit junkie alert." About paying for her children's education, Nina jokingly asks an administrator if she can pay him in crack. All of those involved in the crime have champagne while celebrating their success. Don and Bob have beer. The three women have beer in a bar, followed by shots that the bartender brings over to them. All of the members of the group drink. People have drinks at an outdoor party. Trying to diffuse the possibility of his employees stealing money from under his nose, Glover states that the money they have could have come from being involved in drugs. BLOOD/GORE Bridget's female boss at the Federal Reserve comments that they monitor everything, including when they pee. Working as a custodian at the Federal Reserve, Bridget adversely reacts to the site of a toilet she must clean (but we do not see it). In a quick montage of where money has been while in circulation, we see a man sneeze into some money. Liking the way Nina looks, Shaun tells her, "You got me so cuckoo for your Coco Puffs." In response to that sexual come-on, Nina tells him that would result in spit up and diarrhea, adding the green kind (meaning sex would equal a child) . About Jackie, Nina half-jokingly states, "Somebody is definitely peeing in her cup" (presumably referring to passing a drug test at work). Wondering what's wrong with Barry that he didn't jump at the chance to have sex with Nina, Bridget bursts into the men's room where we see Barry standing with his back to the camera at a urinal (we don't see anything). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE The three women obviously have bad attitudes for stealing the money, as do the men in their lives for going along with that crime. A housekeeper is upset that Bridget hasn't paid her for her work. Bridget's housekeeper states that she has a criminal record for arson. Shaun tells another guard, "You gotta howl at the bitches, dawg." He then actually howls. A male security guard repeatedly runs his metal detector wand over Bridget's clothed breasts. As a male surveillance guard has his surveillance camera view in close on Nina's cleavage, Glover tells him to zoom in and states that what they really need is thermal imaging (but he sarcastically says all that to put the guard in his place). Despite Don's warning not to, Bridget becomes greedy and wants more money than they need. Barry ( a security guard) witnesses Nina's part of the robbery, but rather than turn her in, he warns and then eventually joins her and the others in their scheme. Bob moons some federal agents (we see his bare butt from a distance). After Bridget offers to pay him in cash, her lawyer friend decides to represent her, Don and their fellow criminals. Spoiler Alert: Although it initially seems as if the group doesn't get away with their crime (they're free, albeit without their money), we discover that Bridget stashed a lot of cash off the premises. FRIGHTENING SCENES Bridget throws a bag across a fence, prompting a large dog on the other side to start barking at her. However, she throws it some meat that distracts the dog and allows her to get away (only those afraid of dogs might be affected by this). As the women wait in line to go through a security checkpoint to make sure no one is stealing anything, Bridget and Nina notice that some money is sticking up from Jackie's waistband and try to get her attention to alert her to that (this is played lightly). The group panics when one of the pivotal keys goes down the bathroom sink, thus leaving the participants in a quandary since the missing key will tip off others about their ongoing robbery (this is played lightly). GUNS/WEAPONS We see federal agents preparing their guns before arresting the thieves. Various guards at the Federal Reserve wear sidearms. When Bridget accidentally makes a loud sound in the Federal Reserve control room, all of the agents there react by reaching for their guns. Jackie and Bob exit their camper and drive off, with a purposefully set chain reaction then causing the camper to explode (to destroy incriminating evidence). Federal agents arrest various members of the criminal party at gunpoint. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "No sh*t," "Sh*t-load," "Oh sh*t," "Holy sh*t," "You got me so cuckoo for your Coco Puffs," "You got failed on," "Real pains in the ass," "Sure as hell," "Somebody is definitely peeing in her cup," "You're damn right," "Dimwit junkie alert," "Whacked out, Martha Stewart wannabe," "What the hell /was I thinking/you doing out here/is the matter with you?" "Quit pissing and moaning," "I bet Victoria never had this particular secret," "Shut up," "Can I pay you in crack?" "Worked your ass off," "Fat-head," "You're on your own, Spartacus," "What in the hell is that woman doing in there?" "Take one for the team," "He's a total babe," "Hot damn, we're finally organized crime," "I hate cleaning toilets, but the money is so good," "How the hell dare you?" "Oh hell yeah," "He is a piece of work," "Greetings, Earthlings" and "One hell of a ride." It's possible the film could inspire some kids to try to come up with their own robbery scheme. We see Don shredding paper money and flushing it down the toilet, while Nina burns money out in her backyard. Bridget throws a bag across a fence, prompting a large dog on the other side to start barking at her. However, she throws it some meat that distracts the dog and allows her to get away. Bridget tests others to see if they are greedy or not (such as by putting money on the floor and telling others that it must be theirs). Shaun tells another guard, "You gotta howl at the bitches, dawg." He then actually howls. Jackie is always dancing about while at work listening to her headphones. Jackie kicks her own car door to make it open so that she can get inside, and we see a previous footprint on that door, meaning this isn't the first time she's done that. As the women try to come up with a signal that they are ready to proceed with the crime, Nina gives "the finger" as a possible one (after Jackie makes a comment about Nina's sex life). Bob moons some federal agents (we see his bare butt from a distance). JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A tiny bit of comedy-based, suspenseful music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) A song has the phrase "hell no." PROFANITY At least 7 "s" words, 3 slang terms for sex ("did/done it"), 1 slang term using male genitals ("pr*ck"), 12 hells, 5 damns, 3 asses (1 used with "hole"), 10 uses of "Oh my God," 7 of "Oh God," 3 of "God," 2 of "My God" and 1 use each of "For God's sakes," "G-damn," "Good God" and "Jesus." SEX/NUDITY In a quick montage of where money has been while in circulation, we see some stuffed into the front of a stripper's G-string, and we see a close-up view of that part of the woman's body. Nina shows cleavage in various outfits in several scenes in the film. Liking the way Nina looks, Shaun tells her, "You got me so cuckoo for your Coco Puffs." In response to that sexual come-on, Nina tells him that would result in spit up and diarrhea, adding the green kind (meaning sex would equal a child) . When Bridget asks Nina, "Aren't you even tempted?" (Referring to stealing the money she shreds), Nina thinks she's referring to Shaun's earlier sexual come-on, and states that she has no intention to lie down under some skinny kid for three minutes of push-ups (meaning sex). As the women try to come up with a signal that they are ready to proceed with the crime, they decide that a keyword such as "hot" would not be good. Jackie says that's because someone could say that Nina is hot. Nina then half-jokingly says that the last time someone said that to her was seven years and nine months ago. Jackie is shocked, and asks if it has been seven years since she had sex. A male security guard repeatedly runs his metal detector wand over Bridget's clothed breasts. As a male surveillance guard has his surveillance camera view in close on Nina's cleavage, Glover tells him to zoom in and states that what they really need is thermal imaging (but he sarcastically says all that to put the guard in his place). We see a view from outside a women's bathroom stall where we can see the feet of the three women, including that of Jackie with her pants around her ankles. We then see a view inside the stall as the women stuff their stolen money down into their undergarments. Nina makes a comment that she bets that Victoria never had this particular secret, while we see Jackie stuffing money down the front of her lacy, boxer style panties. After Don walks and in catches the three women celebrating with their stolen money, Bridget jokingly asks if he wants a lap dance. While in their car, Don asks when's the last time he and Bridget "did it" in a car. She says they've never "done it" in a car because they have a house, so Don then excitedly says they should go "do it" in their house. They briefly but passionately kiss in the car. Referencing their earlier conversation and then making a joke of it, Bridget says she understands that Nina doesn't want to spend their money or have sex. Nina twice replies that she does (want to have sex), but someone then brings up the 7-year dry spell again. To create a distraction, Jackie acts as if a man in an elevator (there with another man) said something inappropriate to her. After Jackie is successful and then leaves, one of the men jokes to the other that maybe she reads minds (meaning he was thinking something dirty/inappropriate about her). After figuring out what Nina has been doing (stealing stacks of money), Barry (the security guard) feels her clothed chest, adding that unless she has hard, rectangular breasts, (meaning the money) they need to talk. After Bridget and Jackie suggest Nina should sleep with Barry to keep him from turning her in, Nina asks if they know what you call trading sex for money, followed by Jackie matter-of-factly replying that it's advertising. They then say Nina should "take one for the team" and that Barry is a "total babe." Bridget then says that he might not want her or Jackie, with the latter wondering if Nina is worried because it's been too long. Bridget then says it's like riding a bicycle, except that it's upside down. Nina then says she still knows how to do it, but is just worried how she'll feel in the morning (referring to the guilt). One of the women then replies that Nina will feel sore (referring to the sex). Wondering what's wrong with Barry that he didn't jump at the chance to have sex with Nina, Bridget bursts into the men's room where we see Barry standing with his back to the camera at a urinal (we don't see anything). She then tells him that she doesn't think he's gay. Later, she reports to Nina and Jackie that Barry is in on their plan, and doesn't want sex (with Nina) as part of the deal. Jackie then tells Nina she should just tell Barry that she really wants to, and Nina feels bad that she presented herself to him earlier as a "whore." Later, when the two discuss what's occurred, Barry states that he never said he didn't want her, but that he just didn't want it like that (as a bribe). They then passionately kiss, and Bridget then catches them doing the same in a closed closet, prompting Don (upon hearing the news) that in addition to committing a federal crime and having a house filled with money, they now have people having sex in their closet. Jackie shows a little cleavage. Bob moons some federal agents (we see his bare butt from a distance). SMOKING None. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Bridget is shocked when she hears that Don has put their house up for sale. When she confronts him about this, he states that he got downsized and that they are $286,000 in debt and thus can no longer afford to live there. While there is some tension, it is all played lightly and for comedy. Don is upset with Bridget upon learning of her criminal ways, but it isn't long before he joins her and the other women in enjoying that money. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The comment that crime is contagious. The fact that the Federal Reserve destroys old money that's taken out of circulation. What drives people to become criminals. The comment that money can't buy happiness, but can buy everything else. Bridget defending their stealing of the money by saying that when they spend it, it will be taken out of circulation once again and then destroyed as originally intended, thus saying that it's like they are recycling the money. The comment that greed is what often leads to criminals being caught. The idea of having "mad money" tucked away for "just in case" scenarios. VIOLENCE Jackie and Bob exit their camper and drive off, with a purposefully set chain reaction then causing the camper to explode (to destroy incriminating evidence). Reviewed December 26, 2007 / Posted January 18, 2008

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