Today’s Prayer Focus
Phone Booth
MPA Rating:
for pervasive language and some violence.
for pervasive language and some violence.
| Moral Rating: | not reviewed |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults |
| Genre: | Drama/Thriller |
| Length: | 1 hr. 20 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2003 |
| USA Release: |
| Featuring | Colin Farrell, Forest Whitaker, Keith Nobbs, Katie Holmes, Kiefer Sutherland |
| Director |
Joel Schumacher |
| Producer | David Zucker, Gil Netter, Jerry Zucker |
| Distributor |
 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company |
Here’s what the distributor says about their film: In this intense drama, which takes place in and around a single phone booth in New York City, a man who is being watched by a rooftop killer with a sniper rifle must use the phone to save his life or else risk the consequences of leaving the booth.
Neutral—Keeps your atention and has good moral lessons in it. The only problem though was the billion f-words througout the movie. I didn’t know that people could make full sentences with one foul word.
[Very Offensive / 4]
[Very Offensive / 4]
Chris, age 28
Positive—I think this is the best film so far in 2003. It is an extremely engaging thriller… and Kiefer Sutherland is just great in his thankless role as “The Caller.” His voice is just brilliant, and I like the way director Joel Schumacher allowed it to resonate louder than all of the other action and speech in the film. It is crisp, loud, and effective. Does “Phone Booth” have some bad language? Sure, but it is an R rated movie, too, so, there you go. And it’s a thriller, so it has a bit of violence, not much though. It is definitely worth going to see. And at 80 minutes, it never runs out of steam, and it is always fresh and continually intoxicating and engrossing. A great movie.
[Better than Average / 4]
[Better than Average / 4]
Jason Eaken, age 19
Neutral—If you can put up with the worst language since “Training Day,” then you may want to see this suspense filled movie. The story was good but drug on a bit even though it is a short movie. Many parts were unacceptable, but if you do see it, try to take a Christian perspective in that someone is always watching you. In our case it is not a sniper; it is our Lord God. We should be aware of the smallest things because HE certainly is.
[Very Offensive / 4]
[Very Offensive / 4]
Luke, age 21
Positive—“Phone Booth” is an extremely intriguing movie, but beware: this is not for younger viewers. This film is very explicit; there is an atmosphere of evil throughout in its language, setting, and overall attitude. But it is somewhat appropriate as it fits so well with the main character’s dishonest, evil lifestyle.
[Extremely Offensive / 3]
[Extremely Offensive / 3]
Joe, age 16
Negative—I saw this movie with a couple friends, and we all had the same opinion of it. It had a great plot and it was very exciting to watch …but there was too much swearing. It was only about an hour and 15 minutes, but they managed to put 100+ f-words in it. I had the feeling that the script was too short so they had to fill it with worthless crap like that. I would not recommend Christians see this movie… wait a couple years until they play it on TBS Superstation… then they will bleep out all the swearing.
[Extremely Offensive / 4]
[Extremely Offensive / 4]
Andrea, age 18
Positive—The previous reviewers were right in saying that this movie contains a lot of swearing. I think it would have been a great movie if it was made in the 50s when filmmakers still avoided such language. However, I liked how the movie emphasized that daily choices do have consequences. When confronted with the outcomes of these decisions, many people’s masks will come off like the main character in this film. This film made me think more deeply about my faith, which is why I give it a positive rating.
[Average / 4]
[Average / 4]
Darin, age 21
Negative—My husband and I were offended through the entire movie by the continual foul language and the prostitutes that are in your face for a while, but the theme was intriguing. I don’t recommend seeing the movie because of the offenses, however, the lesson to be learned is certainly the need for honesty in every aspect of life. I appreciated how even though the main actor was attempting to cheat on his wife, he was called on it and forced to make it right with his wife in the end. I certainly don’t recommend the movie for any children or teenagers, but if you go with facts, already knowing what is offensive, you may be surprised by it a
[Very Offensive / 3]
[Very Offensive / 3]
Jennifer, age 33
Negative—This movie is centered on a moral idea: that goodness (honesty, fidelity) is good. The protaginist enforces the goodness using murder. It’s twisted. I am glad God does not kill people around me to make me repent.
[Very Offensive / 3]
[Very Offensive / 3]
Andrew, age 21
Movie Critics
…In addition to being gripping and artfully done, the film makes moral statements that reflect Scriptural truth: Your sin will find you out (Num. 32:23). What a man sows he shall reap (Gal. 6:7). Marital fidelity means being faithful in thought as well as deed (Matt. 5:27-28)…[However] violence, non-stop obscenities and other crass dialogue make seeing “Phone Booth” a bad call. …
Bob Smithouser, Focus on the Family
…In the end, there’s only so much one can do with this sort of material and setup… While intriguing and even engaging for a while, the effort runs out of gas and real estate far too soon…
ScreenIt!
…This is a thrilling drama for adults who can handle the mature subject matter…[and] a good story for married couples to see because it emphasizes the importance of truth and true love in a relationship. …
Holly McClure, Crosswalk
My Ratings: [Very Offensive / 1]