Pause for kids 17 & under
Mature relationship dramedy heartfelt, but also cliched.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Friends with Kids is a dramedy about adult relationships and having and raising children -- themes that may not particularly appeal to younger viewers, despite a cast filled with Bridesmaids veterans like Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Jon Hamm. Characters frankly assess the challenges of child-rearing, making the movie honest to a degree that young kids won't probably be able to process or understand with nuance. There are also open, graphic discussions about sex (what it's like pre- and post-baby, what happens to the body and libido, etc.), and a few scenes that show sex/implied sex (no sensitive nudity). Marriages are depicted in various stages of tension and discord; relationships are fuzzy and confusing. Characters swear frequently and colorfully ("f--k," "s--t," etc.) and do plenty of social/a bit more than social drinking.
- Families can talk about Friends with Kids' messages about relationships. What is it saying about single life? Married life? How accurate do you think it is? Do movies give us a realistic portrait of relationships in general?
- Why do movies see parenting as rife for comedic material? Do they exaggerate it in any way? Do you think the characters in this movie are good parents? Why or why not?
- Do Jason and Julie's reasons to have a baby make sense? Or are they the kind that only seem to come up in movies?