The Sweetest Thing

Negative—Even though this is an offensive movie, it is interesting in showing where Hollywood is going, in order to avoid Christian criticism from mainstream America. First, the only girl in the movie who is shown as actually having sex is Selma Blair’s character. She is a supporting actress. Whilst all this sex is portrayed as acceptable, it is also portrayed as embarrassing for her. She is also portrayed as a Catholic to avoid Protestant criticism. The idea is that you can show any disgraceful behaviour and most of the Bible belt will tune out on the basis that “We always knew Catholics were like that.” Cameron Diaz’s character merely dreams of sex: fornication in the heart. Second, they are all shown as inhabiting San Francisco, which also means that the Bible belt can perceive itself as not being portrayed and affronted, because we all know what a den of iniquity Frisco is, as indeed it is. Third, it would be possible for a naive person to believe that the characters acted by Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate were chaste, despite the “gross-out humour.” The only contrary indication is a statement made almost so it cannot be heard at the outset that Cameron Diaz’s character like to have sexual intercourse without commitment made by a former boyfriend from school and even this statement is de-positioned by the end of the movie, by a further “film within a film” which is largely ironic and so points to the inaccuracy of the preceding statement. Moreover, Cameron Diaz gets married in the end and the others are all supportive. Further, there is an acceptance of traditional sex roles in the film. Moreover, the marriage that falters at the altar is a Catholic marriage and both parties are O.K. with it, unlike “The Graduate.” As a film buff who knows what the films were like either side of the watershed year 1962, it is fair to say that Christians have “turned the clock back” on teen comedies to about 1968. The poison is capable of being seen as relatively harmless fare. We need to re-double our efforts, but also appreciate how much the Lord has achieved in the contest with the Devil. It is not so long ago that the lead character would have been portrayed as a whore and she would have lived in sin with a rich man, for example, “Trading Places.”
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 3]
—Bob, age 38

Negative—People, don’t waste your money. This movie is worth boycotting. I thought it was absolutely terrible. There we many swear words and the whole movie was based on sexual innuendos, and down right sex jokes and almost pornography. I walked out on a moral basis. It really should never have been made. Really, I don’t know how these people make their money. Also the sexual jokes were of a crude kind and not even funny, total toilet humour and just grossness. don’t waste your money, tell even you know this movie really is wrong on every front.
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 3]
—Nathan Wallace, age 19

Neutral—This film really embarrassed the concept of true friendship. The relationship between the three lifetime friends—Christina, Courtney and Jane—was very refreshing! The three friends stood by each other in every situation they were presented with, good or bad. I also thought that Christina’s “love interest” portion of it was unnecessary. It seems that women are always being portrayed as being rescued by a man. It’s been done, so if you’re bored with that kind of story line then it’s probably not for you. There were a couple of scenes that were not appropriate for children, but overall the movie was a good laugh. The acting, directing, script and music were all excellent as well.
My Ratings: [Average / 3]
—Mary Mataragas, age 28

Negative—Let me just say one thing: DON’T GO SEE THIS MOVIE!! There wasn’t really anything good about this movie that I could mention here in my little review. Hollywood obviously feels that if they have enough sexual related material in a movie, that it is going to do well at the box office. Please, by word of mouth and any other means, tell people that this movie is a waste of time and money. Tell Christians and non-Christians, no one should be entertained by this kind of garbage.
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 1]
—Redfable, age 22

Negative—This movie was funny, but not for children, there are sexual and gay innuendos which are offensive to Christians. There are also sexual relationship outside of marriage which are portrayed as being acceptable. The Lord’s name is used in vain many times, which I cannot stand, and wish it wasn’t in this movie. The overall movie was funny, but it could have left out some scenes that were not necessary.
—Amy Short, age 28

Negative—I went to see this movie and I liked it because it was a movie about girlfriends and their friendship. Some of the gags were kind of funny, and I like the romantic spin on it but its not worth seeing, because many things on this movie are offensive and really gross. They have gross out movies for guys, and now they have one for girls. However, in my personal opinion its not as sick as the guy gross out comedies but its still very bad. I wish that there were more good movies that were about girlfriends like this one but with a moral storyline.
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 1]
—Gwen