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Subject: |
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Provides Haunting Moments for Moms |
| Date: |
2009-05-11
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Ghosts of Girlfriends
Past
Provides Haunting Moments for Moms
Review by Anne Leedom
www.parentingbookmark.com
As
a mother, I am grateful for movie ratings, as we get some indication of
a movie's value and potential shock value before we send our kids off
to the local theatre for a couple of hours of fun. However, I truly
wish the powers that be would re-evaluate the PG-13 rating. In the case
of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past starring Mathew McConaughey and Jennifer
Garner, which opens nationwide May 1, someone pulled a fast one.
In order to get a PG-13 rating over the R rating it really should have
been given, the movie does not include blatant nudity or swearing.
However, in order to keep it 'adult oriented’ and pull in a potentially
larger audience, the movie portrays its ongoing story about the main
character’s lack of ethics regarding sex with heavy innuendo, slang,
and other allowable but highly inappropriate language and themes for
young kids.
It is bad enough when kids are subjected to adult themes and outright
blatant sexual language so prevalent in most films and television
today, but having our kids literally taught a new language that most 13
year olds have never been exposed to is just plain wrong. After viewing
this movie, kids will know about alternate language for irreverent sex
and will have an image that with the single exception of Jennifer
Garner’s slightly more ethical character, suggests all young women are
more than happy to participate in any kind of meaningless sexual
behavior as long as it is with someone as charming and handsome as
Mathew’s character. I personally find no value in having my kids watch
someone behave in a completely immoral and hurtful manner, even if in
the end he redeems himself. In real life, this is a highly unrealistic
scenario. It perpetuates many women’s poor judgment to become involved
with someone with no morals based on the hope they will change. It
provides no solid female role models for young girls and clearly
suggests that this behavior is the norm. That includes a brief sexual
encounter that takes place at a middle school dance.
The film glamorizes the playboy image right up to the end when the
deceased Michael Douglas asks his female ghost friend if she takes
dictation. He makes a particular point of stressing the first
part of the word, presenting him as he is all through the movie as a
lecherous, legend that taught Mathew's character everything he knows.
He is portrayed as a hero of sorts and we are supposed to embrace him
and forgive him for his ways due to his humor and self-deprecation.
For adults who are looking for a humorous evening out at the movies,
this film does have its moments and the acting is charming. Jennifer
Garner stands out, portraying a character with more true layers that
almost justify her behavior. However, I recommend this film be left in
the hands of true adults who can sort through the offensive and find
the value that the last few minutes does in its own way, provide.
Anne Leedom is the Editor of www.parentingbookmark.com. She lives in Northern
California. Permission
granted for use
on DrLaura.com.
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