Just Friends parents guide

Just Friends Parent Guide

Overall C-

Ryan Reynolds plays a man who refuses to be demoted to Just Friends by the girl of his dreams (Amy Smart). Returning to his home town ten years after the fact, the now slimmed-down, self proclaimed big-time music executive, is sure this time he can win the woman who broke his heart.

Release date November 22, 2005

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

Why is Just Friends rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Just Friends PG-13 for sexual content and dialogue.

Run Time: 96 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Starring in the gross-fest Waiting… earlier in 2005, actor Ryan Reynolds next tackles the lead role of Chris in this film, borrowing from the styles of Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, and Ben Stiller.

Chris (no last name is given) is some sort of executive for a recording company (no job description is given). His employer sends him to LA to escort Samantha James (Anna Faris), an obnoxious female singer, back to New York. But after the bubble-headed pop star sets the microwave on fire in the corporate jet, their lame craft is forced to land (as fate would have it) just outside of her chaperone’s hometown in Jersey.

It’s been ten years since he last set foot in the place. Having grown up as a fat nerd in high school, and being told by the love of his young life that they would always be “just friends,” Chris hasn’t had a compelling reason to beat a path back home.

Returning now with the bleached blonde under his arm, the slimmed-down wannabe who has upgraded his status to important music producer, decides the unexpected overnight stop may be the perfect opportunity to reconnect with his former flame Jamie (Amy Smart) and some other old friends. He also drops in on his scatterbrained mother and brother Dusty (Chris Klein)... mostly because he needs a somewhere to stay.

When he finds his high school love at a local watering hole, Chris shows off his loser to schmoozer (perhaps “user” would be more accurate) transformation. Although the waitress is amazed at how dashing her once bulging buddy has become, she detects a scent of pompousness emanating from the man.

Her cold conclusion to their reunion meeting sets up the contest for the rest of the film. Desperate to win Jamie’s heart, Chris reverts to juvenile tactics. Meanwhile, he off-loads his duty to baby-sit the spoiled artist to his younger sibling, leaving Dusty the responsible for keeping the sex-crazed Samantha occupied and out of trouble.

It’s a lofty ambition to try to make an audience believe that a barely tolerable individual is capable of attracting the nicest girl in town. Unfortunately Reynolds’ performance—which isn’t any more convincing than the artificially bloated face he wears in the opening scenes—isn’t quite up to the job. Yet it wouldn’t be fair to blame him for all of Just Friends’ problems. In truth, the script serves up a feast of such unlikable characters, making it difficult to laugh or sympathize with them.

And it will be just as difficult to justify bringing your kids along for the “fun.” Anna Faris’ character is seen in a poster pose wearing only whipped cream and strategically placed cherries, while her rabid desire for men or women is frequently used to generate humor. Innuendo and many slang terms for sexual intercourse pepper the dialogue as well.

The mean spirited film also supplies abundant violent content, with women and men physically and sexually assaulting each other in the name of comedy. Despite a few vague messages about not judging others by their appearances and letting go of pride, the movie doesn’t engage viewers enough to even want to be Just Friends.

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart. Running time: 96 minutes. Theatrical release November 22, 2005. Updated

Just Friends
Rating & Content Info

Why is Just Friends rated PG-13? Just Friends is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual content and dialogue.

Parents concerned about sexual content will likely want to pass this one by. While no overt nudity is ever seen (other than a poster of a topless girl with whipped cream and cherries on her breasts), sexual subjects permeate the dialogue and two men compete to see who can bed a girl first. Many slang terms for sex are heard—along with other profanities—and people are often seen being physically hurt by other people or objects. Alcohol consumption is regularly depicted and in one scene, a man reports giving a woman some type of drug.

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Just Friends Parents' Guide

Chris was the target of ridicule while he was in high school. Now that he is a successful music producer, how has he changed? How can a desire to seek revenge turn a person who has been bullied into a bully?

This film depends on anti-social behavior and bad choices to generate comedy. What is the difference between helping others see the possible humor in previous mistakes versus laughing at their bad decisions?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Just Friends movie is March 7, 2006. Here are some details…

New Line Home Video releases Just Friends to DVD with the following bonus extras: commentary from director Roger Kumble, writer Adam “Tex” Davis, producer Christ Bender, co-producer Jake Weiner, executive producers Richard Brener and Cale Boyter, deleted scenes (with optional commentary from director Roger Kumble, writer Adam “Tex” Davis and producer Chris Bender), nine behind-the-scenes featurettes, a blooper reel, the music video Jamie Smiles, and the theatrical trailer. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

In Disney’s The Kid, Bruce Willis’s character meets his younger self, and comes to understand how the experiences of his childhood have shaped who he’s become as an adult. In the closing moments of Mr. Holland’s Opus, a reunion with the teacher’s former students reveals how their lives have grown and changed since their high school days.