Why We Rated This Appropriate for Ages 14 and UP

What to watch out for

• Consumerism:

  Featured brands include Apple/Mac, Coca-Cola, Schweppes Ginger Ale, and Big K-Mart.

• Drugs:

  Joe smokes marijuana on a few occasions -- as a joint and also using a bong. At a party of mostly seniors, most attendees drink beer and other cocktails. Several characters smoke cigarettes, and there are many conversations about drug addic... More

  Joe smokes marijuana on a few occasions -- as a joint and also using a bong. At a party of mostly seniors, most attendees drink beer and other cocktails. Several characters smoke cigarettes, and there are many conversations about drug addiction and rehab. Close

• Language:

  Language includes "bastard," "damn," "pimp," "hell," "oh my God," "titty," and the like.

• Sex:

  Three of the main characters are current or former prostitutes, and several "women of the night" are shown on the street picking up tricks. In one scene, a prostitute is shown in bed (bare shoulders and legs) with a man in underwear sleepin... More

  Three of the main characters are current or former prostitutes, and several "women of the night" are shown on the street picking up tricks. In one scene, a prostitute is shown in bed (bare shoulders and legs) with a man in underwear sleeping on top of her. There are also discussions about life as a prostitute. Two couples kiss and embrace, while several characters flirt -- in the case of Joe and his bawdy elderly friends, pretty raunchily. A masculine woman prisoner comes on to a fellow prisoner. Close

• Violence:

  Some of the violence is cartoonish, like when Madea shoves police officers and resists arrest, or when she knocks out a burly woman in prison. But some of the other violence is disturbing, like when young prostitutes are physically abused b... More

  Some of the violence is cartoonish, like when Madea shoves police officers and resists arrest, or when she knocks out a burly woman in prison. But some of the other violence is disturbing, like when young prostitutes are physically abused by a pimp. Discussion of rape. Close

• Messages:

  Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

About Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

Parents need to know that, like all of Tyler Perry's Madea films, this comedy alternates between comedy (the parts featuring the Madea character) and drama (a subplot featuring a prostitute). Violence is both comic (Madea resists arrest) and disturbing (a pimp abuses young prostitutes), and there are several sexual references -- to prostitution, prison romance, and more. Although the consumerism isn't too overt, there are many scenes of cigarette and marijuana smoke, as well as drinking. Language includes "hell," "damn," and the like.

Families Can Talk About

Families can talk about the movie's message of forgiveness and personal responsibility. Does that come through amid all of the broad humor? How is Madea represented? Does she have redeeming characteristics, or is she just a caricature? Do you think Madea is right that parents shouldn't be blamed for their children's failures? Families can also discuss why Tyler Perry is so popular. Have you seen his other movies? What do they have in common? Who are they targeted at, and why do they appeal to that audience? Do you like him better as his character Madea or as a "regular" actor? Why?