With Honors

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +3 1/2

Content: -2

Harvard student Monty Kessler (Brendan Fraser) experiences frustration when his computer breaks down, losing his entire thesis. On the way to make copies, he drops his papers which fall into the hands of Simon Wilder (Joe Pesci). A mischievous bum who lives in the boiler room under the college library, Simon sees this as a golden opportunity. He takes Monty's thesis hostage in exchange for handouts for each returned page. After obliging Simon with meals and shelter in his van, Monty begins to soften. Gaining support from his one female and two male roommates (Moira Kelly, Josh Hamilton and Patrick Dempsey), Monty moves Simon into the house. All four students grow to love Simon for his humorous, off-the-cuff manner, and allow him to be a part of their lives. When they learn Simon is seriously ill, they care for him. This poignant comedy will tug at your heartstrings.

WITH HONORS makes a unique statement about the homeless. The filmmaker portrays Simon as a lovable, funny and intelligent human being. The theme of learning to understand and care for the less fortunate makes this basically a fine film. Unfortunately, Warner Brothers couldn't resist mixing in some gratuitous sexually suggestive dialogue and obscene language. Simon Wilder, although at times outrageously funny, makes some blatantly demeaning comments about women, and regularly spouts obscenities. Hollywood rarely portrays anyone with a religious faith, and this is the case with Simon. He's dying, but there's no mention of God or Christ. While on his deathbed, his friends read to him from a Walt Whitman classic, not the Bible. Also, when Monty discovers that he loves his roommate Courtney, he immediately goes to bed with her. It's too bad that the filmmakers felt they had to include these objectionable elements to gain audience attention. Write Warner Brothers and suggest they make more films like this, but without the sexual innuendos and obscenities.

Preview Reviewer: Fran Smith
Distributor:
Warner Brothers, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Several (6) times - Mild 3, Moderate 3

Obscene Language: Many (15) times (s-word 10, other 5)

Profanity: Many (13) times - Regular 8, Exclamatory 5

Violence: Moderate (attempted assault with sword)

Sex: Implied once (unmarried couple under covers)

Nudity: Twice (female obscured nudity in shower; male rear nudity); near nudity (low cut dresses)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Many times (remarks about condoms, sexual attraction; comical references to lovemaking; jokes about Madonna)

Drugs: Many times (social drinking condoned, vagrant drinks frequently)

Other: Crude bathroom remarks; themes of compassion for less fortunate and balance of priorities

Running Time:
Intended Audience: Teenagers and young adults


Click HERE for a PRINTER-FRIENDLY version of this review.