The Back Up Plan
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: August 24, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
“The Back-up Plan” is a story about Zoe (Jennifer Lopez), a single woman who decides that after several years of dating, and never finding “Mr. Right,” that she’s ready to have a baby; so she opts for artificial insemination. Naturally, the day that she is artificially inseminated, is the day she meets Stan (Alex O’Loughlin). While after many romantic dates, she decides that it’s time to tell Stan about her pregnancy. Stan responds enthusiastically, though very nervous. Over the course of nine months, we not only see the couple’s romance and excitement, but also their struggles over the stress of Zoe’s pregnancy.
Talking Points:
I liked Jennifer Lopez’s hair, and clothes.
Even though Stan is nervous, he does everything he can to support Zoe. From her cravings to her mood swings, he’s always there for her. I liked the fact the abortion was never mentioned.
The part that bothered me the most was how poorly parenthood is portrayed. When Zoe’s friend, a mother of four, was trying to dissuade Zoe from having a baby, she say’s that kids are awful, it’s the worst thing thats ever happened to her, and that she hates them. A father at the playground tells Stan the same thing. He says fatherhood is “awful, awful, awful, and then something beautiful happens, then it’s awful, awful, awful.”
Sexual Content: Excessive
- Many times we see a woman breast-feeding her 3 year old girl, this was inappropriate.
- There are many sexual scenes with Stan and Zoe, and there’s a lot of sexual conversations throughout the movie, mostly regarding pregnancy issues.
- We see one of Zoe’s friends give birth in a tub of water, this was a disturbing and inappropriate scene for young teens, my daughter thought it was gross.
Profane or crude language: Moderate
- Some swearing throughout the movie.
I kept thinking there would be some redeeming qualities at the end, Perhaps a nice message on how wonderful parenthood is, or how it’s best to get married first, then have children, but no such luck.
I know many teens that saw the movie, some thought it was okay, while others really liked it and thought it was a cute and fun movie. From a mom’s perspective, I didn’t care for it. If you have to see it, I would say it’s appropriate for kids ages 14 and up, but I would have a conversation with your kids how it’s just a light hearted movie, with not much substance. I’m going to give the movie two buckets. The movie was centered around the couples love affair, and the trials of parenthood, but not the blessing that is truly is.
