Today’s Prayer Focus
She's the Man
MPA Rating:
for some sexual material.
for some sexual material.
| Moral Rating: | not reviewed |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teenage girls |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Length: | 1 hr. 46 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2006 |
| USA Release: |
March 17, 2006 (wide) |
Relevant Issues
| Featuring |
|---|
|
Amanda Bynes Channing Tatum Amanda Crew See all » |
| Director |
|
Andy Fickman |
| Producer |
| DreamWorks SKG, Lakeshore Entertainment, Donners' Company, Marty Ewing, See all » |
| Distributor |
“Everybody has a secret… Duke wants Olivia who likes Sebastian who is really Viola whose brother is dating Monique so she hates Olivia who’s with Duke to make Sebastian jealous who is really Viola who’s crushing on Duke who thinks she’s a guy…”
Viola Hastings is a teenager who plays for the girls' soccer team at Cornwall Prep and hopes to join the North Carolina Tar Heels. When the team is cut, she and her teammates attempt to join the boys' team but are rejected by the coach. Her boyfriend, Justin, sides with the coach, leading to their breakup.
Meanwhile, Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, is scheduled to transfer to Illyria Prep after being expelled for skipping classes. Instead, he secretly leaves for London with his band. Viola decides to take his place at Illyria and join the boys' soccer team in disguise, intending to prove her ability and challenge the decision to cancel the girls' team. With assistance from her friend Paul, she transforms her appearance and enrolls as Sebastian.
At Illyria, Viola shares a room with Duke Orsino, the soccer team's captain. She fails to impress the coach during tryouts and is placed on second string. Initially considered socially awkward, Viola gains acceptance after Paul stages an appearance with several girls at a pizzeria. Viola is assigned Olivia Lennox as a lab partner, which frustrates Duke, who has feelings for Olivia. Viola offers to help Duke attract Olivia if he agrees to train her in soccer. Her performance improves, and she is promoted to first string.
At a school carnival, Viola and Duke interact at a kissing booth. Duke later expresses to “Sebastian” that he is developing feelings for Viola. Olivia, meanwhile, becomes interested in "Sebastian" and asks Duke out in an attempt to provoke jealousy. Viola misinterprets the situation, believing Duke has lost interest in her, but later encourages Olivia to speak to “Sebastian” directly.
Sebastian returns from London earlier than expected and arrives at Illyria. Olivia confesses her feelings and kisses him, which Duke witnesses, leading to a confrontation between Duke and who he believes is his roommate. Viola oversleeps and misses the first half of an important match, during which Sebastian plays in her place and struggles. At halftime, Viola explains the situation to her brother, and they switch places.
During the second half, Duke refuses to cooperate on the field. Viola responds by revealing her identity to the team and coach. She plays the remainder of the match and scores the decisive goal. After the game, the school learns the full details of the impersonation. Duke later reconciles with Viola. Sebastian and Olivia begin a relationship, and Viola’s parents, who had been unaware of the deception, agree to improved communication. Viola and Duke attend the débutante ball together, and she joins the Illyria boys’ soccer team.
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Positive
Positive—To start, a little about myself, I am a conservative Southern Baptist with a teenage daughter. I took notes as I watched the movie and noted anything that I thought could possibly offend some individuals. …Main Movie Characters:
Viola—“just wants to play soccer”
Sebastien—Viola’s twin brother
Duke—Viola’s school dorm roommate (while she is pretending to be a boy)
Monique—Sebastien’s girlfriend/ex-girlfriend
Olivia—school mate
There are other central characters. I tried to list the basics, hopefully, without revealing the story.The movie begins with a soccer game on the beach, where Viola’s boyfriend commends her playing skills and tells Viola that she is as good a player or better than some of the boys on the boys soccer team. Then when the school cuts the girls soccer team and the boys team and coaches refuse to let the girls try out for that team, watch out, for the hi-jinks to begin.See all »
Average / 3
Viola—“just wants to play soccer”
Sebastien—Viola’s twin brother
Duke—Viola’s school dorm roommate (while she is pretending to be a boy)
Monique—Sebastien’s girlfriend/ex-girlfriend
Olivia—school mate
There are other central characters. I tried to list the basics, hopefully, without revealing the story.The movie begins with a soccer game on the beach, where Viola’s boyfriend commends her playing skills and tells Viola that she is as good a player or better than some of the boys on the boys soccer team. Then when the school cuts the girls soccer team and the boys team and coaches refuse to let the girls try out for that team, watch out, for the hi-jinks to begin.See all »
Average / 3
Melisa Pollock, age 34
Positive—Ok, so this movie will never be up for any Oscars. I went to the theater with rather low expectations and as the film actually began, I sat there thinking, “here we go, another stupid teen movie.” I’m not saying that it wasn’t stupid at times or obviously aimed at teens, but the fact is, I really DID laugh a lot!Some of the scenes had me gasping for breath after laughing my head off. Amanda B. is so corny that you may not be able to imagine watching her for a whole movie. She dresses like a boy, trying to fit into a male culture, but the result is a hammed up, pretty hilarious version of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”Some of the character’s names are even the same. I also really liked the way one of the main guy characters stuck up for the dignity of girls by saying that other guys shouldn’t speak disrespectfully about them. He said that I wanted a relationship where it wasn’t all physical, but also a mutual attraction to the other persons personality. I thought that was pretty darn cool!Language really wasn’t that bad, and I really wouldn’t have a problem with my 10 year old sister watching 90% of it. So, if you’re looking for a fun, choke on your popcorn, laughing movie, this one is great.
Better than Average / 2
Better than Average / 2
Amy Gilles, age 18
Neutral
Neutral—I think this movie is intended for those 16 years of age or older. My reasons for this are as follows:close ups of teenagers kissing (showing saliva/tongue exchange) This was a bit too much even for meMany uses of cuss words/foul languageMany sexual references of men/women by people in the movieViola being in men’s locker room and seeing opposite sex in nudeViola slapping ex-boyfriend was inappropriate. It wouldn’t have been funny if it was a boy slapping his ex-girlfriend. Other ways of handling those situationsViola and brother Sebastian exposing themselves in front of thousands of people at the end of the movie to prove their genders.While the movie did have it’s clean and funny parts. The movie had more than I expected. Viola is a character to be seen as a sweet, funny and kind hearted young woman. This being said, I thought the movie was trying to say “sweet, kind hearted young women can cuss and show their breasts to the world, but it’s okay because she’s funny.” Just be careful of the influence this movie can have on young kids.
Offensive / 3
Offensive / 3
Anna, age 23
Comments from young people
Neutral—“She’s the Man” is the sort of movie that young girls will flock to, to see Amanda Bynes portray yet another variation of her typical “cute girl meets conflict, rises above it AND gets the hunky guy” characters. Is it, however, a movie we want our daughters to be influenced by?The basic plot involves our heroine moving into a guys’ dorm and pretending to be a guy. This entails her having to go to the showers and be around naked college boys, having to put up with a girl who has a crush on her (the poor girl doesn’t know that our heroine is actually also a girl). There is a scene where, to prove she is a girl, our heroine must bare her chest in front of a stadium of people. Her brother pulls down his own pants.Don’t get me wrong. Most people who see these scenes won’t think twice about them and might think I’m being a prude, but it makes me wonder: how depraved can entertainment get? What ever happened to wit? Are our brains so dumbed down by cheap TV that we want our movies to incorporate the same thoughtless and uninspired plots and humor?“She’s the Man” is funny, granted, but it portrays a girl who has no respect for biblical womanhood and cares little for anything but kissing the hot guy that, in the end, we all know she will end up with because, come on!—It’s an Amanda Bynes movie. And nothing more.
Average / 3
Average / 3
Willows_Shadow, age 16
Negative—I saw “She’s the Man” with a few friends last night and hated it! I didn’t go expecting a 100% perfect Christian movie, but what I got was horrible! The commercials made the movie seem like the majority of the movie would be about soccer, but only a small percentage was.Some of it was funny, but not enough to make up for all the sex parts. At the end, the girl had to lift up her shirt to prove her gender and her brother had to pull down his pants. They didn’t show anything, but that was still very wrong. I would wait until this movie comes out on DVD so you can skip the sex parts and not waist a 8.00 dollars on it.
Offensive / 3
Offensive / 3
Katie Simpson, age 14
Negative—I attended this movie with 4 of my friends, two 14 year old girls, a 15 year old boy and a 17 year old boy. There were definitely some “uncomfortable” spots during the movie. Especially during parts where the boys in the movie would remark on how hot a girl was, what a nice butt she had, checking her out, your typical (inappropriate and mainly non-spiritual) teenage boy behavior. It was awkward being a girl seeing the movie with boys—to see the boys on TV degrading girls in that way.I’m not bashing the boys only; the girls often remarked on how “hot” other boys are, implying that it only matters what’s on the outside. Also some immodesty was shown at the beginning, which was also awkward seeing as I was with boys. Some of the jokes in the movie were fairly dirty, and I was embarrassed myself to hear them, and even more so that my friends were there.Yes, there were some funny characters in the movie. Some funny situations that weren’t immoral or inappropriate, simply silly humor. However, I believe the immoral depictions of many of the characters outweighed the “quality” of this film. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have let the 14 year old girls or the 15 year old boy see it. My friend (17 year old boy) could “handle” it, however he shouldn’t have had to. Upon conversation of the movie, he said “I guess I could say it was funny, but I’d have to lower my morals to think that.”
Offensive / 3
Offensive / 3
Alice, age 18
Neutral—“She’s the Man” didn’t particularly impress, but keep in mind… that I’m not a romantic. The basic plot is that the character Viola stands in place of her brother Sebastian at his college for the sake of her girl’s soccer team that’ve been cut off by the school board. Throughout the humorous process, she learns that not all guys are of the physical mind and begins to hearken her heart to one particular in the dorm room.Fairly clean and overall tons of fun, this movie will enlighten and surprise every mother and daughter of its story. I give it a thumb and a half.
Better than Average / 4
Better than Average / 4
The Writer, age 16
Positive—I thought this movie was cute. It told you to follow your dreams at whatever cost. Which is what people should do. Now there were parts that didn’t need to be in there but just don’t take your kids to go see it. It’s a teen and adult film. No Kids. Simple. leave the kids at home and go enjoy a movie. And don’t get offended over every little thing. …
Good / 2
Good / 2
Anna, age 16
Positive—I went to this movie for my birthday, seeing the commercials, it looked good. It was a very good movie!! It wasn’t a “bad” movie besides a scene when Sebastian (the real Sebastian) pulls down his pants and when Viola lifts up her shirt. Occasionally, there is a swear word here and there, but there wasn’t too many. I highly recommend it to teenagers; it was a really funny movie. My friends and I laughed through the whole movie. I am hoping to see this movie again this weekend!!
Average / 4
Average / 4
Meagan, age 16
Positive—I saw this movie with my 4 of my friends, 2 girls, and 3 guys. I did feel a bit uncomfortable during some of the funny scenes, just because I was with guys. Like when Viola (as Sebastian) has tampons in her bag and gets caught with them by some of the guys. She panics, and demonstrates how she uses them for nosebleeds. I would have gone and seen it just with my girl friends if I had known some of the content.The movie wasn’t a bad movie overall. I enjoyed it and thought it was very funny and cute. I laughed throughout the whole movie! I liked it when Duke tells “Sebastian” that “there’s more to girls than just the physical stuff.” The language isn’t too bad, an occasional swear word now and then, but not that much. Overall, this movie is more of a chick flick and is not for kids, but more for teens. Great movie!
Average / 4
Average / 4
Angie, age 15
Positive—I really liked this movie! It was cute and very funny, most of the time. There was a few parts that were not for young kids though. This is a great film for teens, but definitely not for 10 and under. Overall, it was wonderful!
Average / 2
Average / 2
ELizabeth Mcdonald, age 13
Positive—This movie did have some inappropriate parts in it. There’s no getting around the fact that it did. However, I think teens, probably ages 14 or 15 and older, can handle it. People who know that they should not go home and do these things, like lying, deceiving, etc. are probably okay to see this movie. It was funny, and very well-made. There is hardly any “bad” or inappropriate content, except the scene at the end, which has been mentioned, when Viola lifts up her shirt and Sebastian pulls down his pants. That is one of the scenes in this movie that make it get bad reviews, but I think overall it was a good movie, not overloaded with bad things, as some people say.
Better than Average / 4
Better than Average / 4
Lisa, age 17
Positive—…I know a lot of people found this film very offensive, but I have to say I found it the complete opposite! Basically it was just a bit of fun! If I had to pick one thing that I thought was the most offensive it would probably have been when Sebastian pulls down his pants and when Viola pulls up her shirt! But even then you don’t see anything!I honestly don’t understand what the big deal is because I went to see this with a 16year old and we both laughed and laughed all the way through it! I only picked up on one time that someone took the Lord’s name in vain and the rest of the time I think I was too busy enjoying the rest of the film to notice! Overall, this is one of the best films I’ve seen this year! I recommend it to everybody!
Excellent! / 5
Excellent! / 5
Frankee, age 12
Positive—This movie is hysterical! I loved it! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good laugh. Cause you will have a good laugh! The only thing that maybe you wouldn’t want to see is the face that two of the characters show themselves to prove there are the gender they say they are. The girl the upper deck and the guy the lower deck, although you do not see anything at all.
Excellent! / 5
Excellent! / 5
Stephanie, age 13
Positive—I went to see this film with my sister, and I found it absolutely hilarious. If you want a laugh-a-minute, light-hearted movie, then this is perfect. Would recommend it to anyone, but particularly for teenage girls. Nothing that would cause too much offence.
Better than Average / 1
Better than Average / 1
Jo, age 16
Positive—This is the best movie ever made! It was so enjoyable. It was a movie were you could go and cry your eyes out… from laughing! I am a big soccer fan, and, if I were Viola, I would of done the same thing to be able to play soccer. I can’t recommend this movie to certain ages, because I don’t know how mature or immature your kids are. If you think they are mature enough to laugh at some woman-related laughter (no innuendo), bring them. I’m telling you, this is the best movie so far in the history of the world.
Excellent! / 5
Excellent! / 5
Stephanie, age 13
Positive—I think this movie was great. It was funny, enjoyable and entertaining, I wouldn’t say any part of it wasn’t actually good. I think at my age this film is suitable for people of my age. I loved every part of the movie and I think If you haven’t seen it and your round about my age, then I would recommend you watch it.
Better than Average / 4
Better than Average / 4
Radha Nehra, age 12
Positive—I loved this movie. I thought it was really funny. I could watch this movie over and over again!! Me and my friends all loved this movie. It is one of my favorite movies, and I watch a lot of movies!! I highly recommend this movie!
Better than Average / 5
Better than Average / 5
Carla, age 12
Positive—I loved this movie. My sister and I went to see it in the theaters, and we could not stop laughing. It was hilarious!! Amanda Bynes put on an amazing performance. The plot was great—insane—but great, and very entertaining. This movie was crude at parts though, but rather cleaner than I thought it would be for a teen movie. The humor overrides the foulness in this film. Overall, a great feel-good movie! But as the rating states, no kids under 13, please!
Better than Average / 4
Better than Average / 4
Amy, age 16
My Ratings: Average / 3