Precocious junior high school students Jason and Kaylee take swift action when a greedy Hollywood producer turns an essay written by Jason into a hit film, but leaves Jason's name on the cutting room floor.
Frankie Muniz, Paul Giamatti, Amanda Bynes, Amanda Detmer, Donald Faison, Sandra Oh, Russell Hornsby, Michael Bryan French, Lawrence Watson, Lindsay Tryctha, Lee Majors, Josh Rusin
Children & Family, Family Comedies, Teen Comedies, Ages 8-10
Common Sense rating OK for kids 9+
Parents need to know that Big Fat Liar is a funny take on ruthlessness in Hollywood full of puerile pratfall humor and name-calling. There are instances of bullying throughout the film -- especially at the beginning -- and the character stereotypes (dumb jock, senile grandmother) are plentiful. While the madcap antics of Frankie Muniz, Amanda Bynes and Paul Giamatti will appeal to kids and grown-ups, lessons on the importance of being honest are found amid all the silliness.
A character is knocked off his skateboard by a group of bullies, who also push and shove him before stealing the skateboard. While not shown, a character is kicked in the groin, replete with sound effects to drive the point home. A character dressed as a clown is shown being knocked over by a group of young kids at a birthday party; all of whom take turns jumping, tackling, and leaping on top of the clown.
Name-calling: "Up yours," "retardo," "You suck." A character shouts from off-camera that a "dookie" has clogged the toilet.
Promotes, eventually, the importance of telling the truth over lying, and shows how lying on a regular basis violates the trust between kids and parents, besides raising doubts even when "big fat liars" tell the truth.
Coca-Cola cans and a vending machine are prominently featured.
Adult social drinking, and an adult character lights a cigar, but instead of smoking it, uses it to burn some papers.