Reviewed by: Pamela Karpelenia
CONTRIBUTOR
Moral Rating: | Extremely Offensive |
Moviemaking Quality: |
|
Primary Audience: | Adults |
Genre: | Romance Comedy Drama Adaptation |
Length: | 1 hr. 43 min. |
Year of Release: | 2011 |
USA Release: |
May 6, 2011 (wide—2,900+ theaters) DVD: August 16, 2011 |
life as a single
TRUE LOVE—What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer
drunkenness in the Bible
lying in the Bible
How do I know what is right from wrong? Answer
How can I decide whether a particular activity—such as smoking, gambling, etc.—is wrong? Answer
Are we living in a moral Stone Age? Answer
30th birthday
fornication
PURITY—Should I save sex for marriage? Answer
How can I deal with temptations? Answer
How far is too far? What are the guidelines for dating relationships? Answer
What are the consequences of sexual immorality? Answer
Featuring |
Ginnifer Goodwin … Rachel Kate Hudson … Darcy Colin Egglesfield … Dex John Krasinski … Ethan Steve Howey … Marcus Ashley Williams … Claire Geoff Pierson … Dexter Thaler Sr. Jill Eikenberry … Bridget Thaler See all » |
Director | Luke Greenfield—“The Girl Next Door,” “The Animal” |
Producer |
2S Films Alcon Entertainment Wild Ocean Films Ellen H. Schwartz … executive producer Hilary Swank … producer See all » |
Distributor |
“It’s a thin line between love and friendship.”
“Something Borrowed”, tells the story of two friends. One a wild, obnoxious, loud and slightly superficial party girl Darcy (Kate Hudson). The other, Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin), a lawyer is quiet, modest, nice and a bit of a pushover. The movie opens to a “surprise” 30th birthday party for Rachel, put on by her BFF Darcy. There we learn the Darcy is getting married to a lawyer Dex (Colin Egglesfield).
After getting drunk and leaving the party Darcy sends her fiancé Dex back to find her purse, there he finds Rachel with her friend Ethan (John Krasinski). Rachel volunteers to help Dex find the purse. From there, sensing that Rachel is feeling down about her 30th birthday, Dex suggests they go for a drink, where they reminisce about their college days together, before he met Darcy. After Rachel admits to Dex she had a crush on him in college, Dex kisses Rachel, and they have sex. All of this happens in the first 10 minutes.
The film has a very modern feel, with hip clothes and upbeat music seem to be an attempt to distract the viewer from the sinful behaviors occurring throughout. The acting by Hudson, Goodwin and Krasinski is satisfactory, not superb, but Egglesfield I felt is unappealing and frankly uninspiring. The plot is depraved, and one character sums it up with one line, “You’re going to hell anyway… so be happy!”
Where to begin, there are more blasphemies then swear words—over 25 uses of “Oh my God,” 6 of “God,” 3 of “Jesus” and 1 use each of “G-damn” and “Good God.” There is 1 use of the “f” word, 8 “s” words, and 8 a**/a**h…
As for sexuality, there is a lot of sexual talk, revealing clothing, and cheating Rachel and Dex are in bed nude, but nothing is actually shown.
Lie, cheat, drink and sex is the name of the game; from the obvious lie that Rachel and Dex keep from Darcy to the other lies where Ethan claims to be gay in order to deter an overly persistent woman. Every main and lead supporting character in the film drinks or gets drunk.
There is almost no redeeming value to this film. With that said, there is one line stated by Dex’s dad that rang true, until the end of the film, “The problem with what we want is it’s usually at odds with what’s right.” Those wise words lead me to Romans 7:14-25,
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Even though we are saved by the blood of Christ we will continue to fight our sin nature until Christ returns, and what a glorious day that will be.
I cannot recommend “Something Borrowed”, not only does the film justify lying and cheating. It shows the relative morality that leads to such debauchery as simple mistakes and consequences are a non sequitur. While attempts at regret and shame are present, they come off empty and cosmetic.
Violence: Minor / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
So, going into the review, I was a little nervous of the language, as most of the time it will follow the book. That being said, I was pleasantly pleased. Don’t get me wrong, there were several words that were offensive, but I expected worse. For me, GD is the worst, it was used two times. God’s name in vain was used roughly 5 times. A**hole was used 3 and shi* at least 5. The f-word was used once. Their was a “raw” moment that used the term “Jerk off,” and it was meant in the literal sense… not something you hear often!
There was a reference made to someone hurting their vagina, but not in the sexual sense, more in the pulled muscle by it while dancing. They did show a clip of someone wanting to smoke a joint.
I am the sort that takes even the small things into appreciation. This movie used “gosh” a good bit. I think that is note worthy, as it is so common for someone to use OMG.
All the words aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! I enjoyed the way the story was told and how it played out. Kate Hudson, in my opinion, seems to be “overacting”. This is not a typical role for her.
I feel as this movie isn’t something I would let my child watch, but I think, given the times, the language was fairly mild. (Basing that on the fact I have seen several PG-13 movies that I shut off or walked out of, due to the language).
I think that most girls can relate to knowing someone like Kate’s character… If your interested in a love story with a twist and the above mentioned words would not keep you from watching, I do not think you would be disappointed.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½