Orange County parents guide

Orange County Parent Guide

Overall C-

Shawn Brumder's (Colin Hanks) hopes for college are squelched when the school guidance counselor sends the wrong transcripts. His dysfunctional and addiction-hampered family members struggle to rally behind him in this film laden with drug, sexuality and language concerns.

Release date January 10, 2002

Violence C
Sexual Content D+
Profanity D
Substance Use D-

Why is Orange County rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Orange County PG-13

Parent Movie Review

Orange County (2002) - Official siteShaun Brumber’s (Colin Hanks) sole ambition is to be a writer—and a good one. Eager to study with his favorite author (Kevin Kline), he applies to Stanford University. But a computer mis-click by an airhead guidance counselor (Lily Tomlin) sends the wrong (and considerably less stellar) transcripts to the school’s administration office. Determined to get out of Orange County, the aspiring novelist rushes off to Stanford with his drugged-out brother (Jack Black) behind the wheel to try and re-write the wrong.

Orange County (2002) - Official site But if things at home look bad with an alcoholic mother (Catherine O’Hara), elderly and highly medicated stepfather, prattling housekeeper, money hungry father (John Lithgow), wanton 20-something stepmom, and a couple of laid back boarding buddies, the plot is about to thicken.

With some help from his girlfriend Ashley (Schuyler Fisk), Shaun finds the university’s dean of admissions. However, a few unplanned (and drug related) incidents leave his chances for acceptance burning in a pile of rubble.

Orange County (2002) - Official siteUnfortunately Orange County seems to have suffered from a few mis-clicks on the word processor too. The script spends most of its time relying on sexual quips and dysfunctional family situations for the bulk of its humor. Jack Black’s character, seen most often in briefs and socks, waddles through the entire film in a chemically enhanced state of mind while O’Hara guzzles booze from one scene to the next. Both addictions are laughed off with little more than a roll of the eyes. Sexual encounters, although mostly limited to full-body kissing and “after” scenes, portray some homosexual and lesbian activities. Language concerns include explicit and crude sexual terms and hand gestures, leaving the movie’s chances for family acceptance going up in smoke.

Following in their parents’ footsteps, Fisk (daughter of Sissy Spacek), and Hanks (whose famous father Tom has played many multi-faceted characters—Cast Away, You’ve Got Mail), may be proof that genetics don’t count for everything. Even with an orchard of famous comedians (Chevy Chase, Ben Stiller, Harold Ramis) lending their faces, this is one film that doesn’t deserve any navel gazing.

Starring Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Catherine O'Hara. Theatrical release January 10, 2002. Updated

Orange County
Rating & Content Info

Why is Orange County rated PG-13? Orange County is rated PG-13 by the MPAA

Overall: C- Shawn Brumder’s hopes for college are squelched when the school guidance counselor sends the wrong transcripts. His dysfunctional and addiction-hampered family members struggle to rally behind him in this film laden with drug, sexuality and language concerns.

Violence: C Characters attempt to blow something up with ammunition. Characters are hit in head, with some portrayals including limited blood. Character discusses and attempts suicide. Upset character is kicked in groin. Drugged-out character causes property damage and attempts to avoid the law.

Sexual Content: D+ Scenes of passionate, full-body kissing including homosexual and lesbian encounters between teen and adult couples. Several scenes allude to sexual activities between married and unmarried couples. Characters shown in swimsuits, midriff-baring shirts, underwear and low riding pant.  Numerous conversations include frank sexual banter. Dog climbs on woman’s leg, and makes sexual movements.

Language: D Includes 1 spoken and 1 partially-spoken extreme profanity, at least 8 crude sexual terms, 1 crude hand gesture, 15 moderate profanities, 9 mild profanities and 13 terms of Deity used as expletives.

Alcohol / Drug Use: D- Characters include: a drug addict who also sells stolen drugs, an alcoholic parent, an aging person and child both using prescription drugs. Character drives erratically while under the influence of drugs.  Numerous scenes show characters high from drug use, in a drunken state, or drinking with occasional smoking. Miscellaneous Concerns:  Characters participate in extreme sports (resulting in a death) and reckless activities including speeding. Humor derived from a character that throws up from hangover, and a character’s repeated tries to solicit drug-free urine samples. Adults portrayed as dimwitted and dysfunctional.

 

Page last updated

Orange County Parents' Guide

Why does writing become such a passion for Shaun? Do you think it helps him deal with his life circumstances? How can keeping a journal help a person find out about himself/herself?

If you were to write a book about your life thus far, what would it be titled? Who would be the main characters in your story? How do they compare with the characters in Orange County?

Shaun believes that money does not equal happiness. What examples of that did you see in this film? How do you feel about money? How much do you need to be satisfied?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Orange County movie is June 17, 2002. Here are some details…

Related home video titles:

While Colin Hanks is relatively new to the big screen, (he did play a minor role in his Dad’s film That Thing You Do), you can catch veteran actors Chevy Chase in Man Of The House, Lily Tomlin in Disney’s The Kid and John Lithgow in A Civil Action and 2010: The Year We Make Contact.