Dated '80s talking-baby tale has lots of cursing, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Language
some
The baby calls his mother's date a "d--k." In another scene, the baby says, "I feel like a retard." Occasional profanity: "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "pisses," "goddammit," "bastard." Sexual slang like "pork" used, sexual innuendo, breast jokes. When the mother lies and says the baby was artificially inseminated, John Travolta's character asks if she's a "lesbo." Lots of defecation and urination humor revolving around the baby.
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Film begins and ends with simulated sperm/egg action, heavy petting as part of an adulterous affair, implied sex (Molly removes her shirt and is seen in her bra), birth of a child (though nothing graphic), birth control jokes, boob jokes, sexual innuendo.
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Crazy car chase (but no one injured), scuffle between James and Albert. Molly punches James in the face. Dream imagery of Molly hanging off her "biological clock" that is on top of a skyscraper, then falling.
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Movie strongly implies that a woman cannot raise a child on her own, that a man needs to be there.
Positive Role Models
very little
No real positive role models.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Look Who's Talking is a 1989 comedy in which Kirstie Alley gives birth to a baby who is voiced by Bruce Willis. For those who haven't seen the movie in a few years, there's a surprising amount of adult and iffy humor that make this best for teens and older. The movie begins with talking sperm cells swimming to try to fertilize an egg. Alley's character becomes pregnant from a man who's having an extramarital affair with her; much of the second half of the movie concerns itself with the idea that a woman couldn't possibly raise a child without a man's help. During the birth of the baby, the woman is given Demarol, and the baby is shown acting high on drugs. In one scene, the baby calls his mother's date a "d--k," and in another scene, says "I feel like a retard." Lots of the humor is derived from the baby's defecation and urination habits. One of the babies in the maternity ward is Indian and talks in a stereotypical accent. There are lots of sex jokes and innuendo, and occasional profanity, including "f--k" (used once). To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Basically you should give all movies made in the 80s and 90s a quick rewatch before showing your children, but, this one is pretty tame for the period, and was actually advertised as a family film, some of the jokes don’t age very well.
I wouldn’t say that there is too much sexual content in the movie, but, it is definitely present, the opening and closing scenes depict comical representations of sperm making its way to fertilize an egg. There are multiple scenes with implied sex, or heavy petting, there is no full nudity, but Julie us seen wearing only a bra a couple of times.
The language is pretty coarse for a PG-13 rating, there isn’t swearing in every scene, but it is frequent enough to upset some viewers.
As far as drinking and drugs go, this is a 90s movie, so many characters are seen smoking. There is also a scene towards the beginning of the film during the childbirth scene, the medication given to Julie appears to make Mikey high while still in the womb.
Katherine R.Parent of 10, 14, 18+, 18+, 18+ and 5-year-old
June 10, 2024
age 10+
What's the Story?
LOOK WHO'S TALKING chronicles the unlikely love affair of Molly (Kirstie Alley), a CPA, and taxi driver James (John Travolta). After finding herself pregnant with the child of her married client, Albert (George Segal), Molly sets out to find Mikey (vocalized by Bruce Willis) the "best daddy." She makes a deal whereby James will serve as her babysitter and then finds herself conflicted. Should she wait around for a hotshot Mr. Right or take a chance with the dashing and exciting (but poor) James? He's a dreamer, but according to Mikey's musings, he is surely a keeper.
This goofy comedy proved that Americans love talking babies and served as a springboard for Travolta's comeback. While silly and outdated, the film includes underappreciated performances by veteran Abe Vigoda (The Godfather, Barney Miller) as James's senile grandpa and Academy Award Winner Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck, Tales of the City) as Molly's wisecracking mother. Look Who's Talking also includes a fabulous 1960s/1970s soundtrack that gives Travolta ample opportunity to throw in some classic dance moves.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about who the movie is intended for. What parts were for kids and what's for adults? Do you think this is a family movie? Why or why not?
What are some of the ways in which this comedy from the 1980s has not aged well? What are some other examples of movies from the '80s in which humor is derived from sexism, racism, or inappropriate behavior?
How has the idea of "families" evolved since the time when this movie was released?
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