Gossip MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1 1/2

Intrigued by the concept of stories and misconceptions of the truth that become widely believed, a trio of roommates in a college communications class comes up with the idea of starting a rumor and charting how it develops as it spreads across campus. Jones (Lena Headey), not wanting to hurt anyone, is nervous at first but after deciding it probably wont cause much harm, joins with Derrick (James Marsden) and another student, Travis (Norman Reedus) in the experiment. They decide to start a rumor claiming that fellow students Naomi (Kate Hudson) and Beau (Joshua Jackson) had sex at a campus party. But the rumor soon spreads out of control, and Beau is arrested for date rape. The roommates feel the pressure to tell all and as other secrets are uncovered, no one can be certain of the truth. With all of its twists and turns, GOSSIP makes for an exciting and suspenseful movie that will attract older teens and young adults.

The Bible clearly commands against bearing false witness which is the basis of gossip and the results are clearly represented in this film. The characters quickly learn the harm gossip causes and that it goes much farther than simply hurting someones feelings. Issues of trust are also raised in the movie. It seems that neither the characters nor the audience can be sure of what or who to believe. So, the film effectively illustrates the vulnerability of putting ones trust in another. Since the initial rumor involves a sexual relation, references to sex are quite common, and various characters describe specific sex acts in one scene. Pictures of scantily clad women are shown as well but nudity is avoided. Violence is limited to some hand fighting and struggling, but one person is shot. However, the impact takes place off camera and no graphic blood is shown. Vulgar dialogue includes graphic sexual references along with seven s-words and one f-word. While this film avoids some of the more common objectionable elements like explicit sexual encounters or graphic violence, foul language speaks poorly of GOSSIP.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522