Parents' Guide to

There's Something About Mary

By Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Farrelly bros' classic is full of gross-out laughs.

Movie R 1998 119 minutes
There's Something About Mary Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 15+

Based on 8 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 6-year-old
May 17, 2023
age 17+

A film where everyone sucks and no one grows

This film features many men who treat women as objects and have a series of unrelated gags happen to them throughout the film. They principally happen to Ben Stiller's character (which everyone takes pleasure messing with) and the character falls for it every time, because in this film there is no growth. This film is not about terrible people getting together to work hard to not learn. In that way it is very successful. I did not find that type of "journey" appealing. And presenting Díaz as the quintessential pretty thin blonde woman who loves sports...the challenge would be if the film could be even more cliché.
Madison C.
Madison C. Parent of 15-year-old
March 4, 2023
age 18+

For 18 and up.

For 18 and up people under 18 and up sould not know what this even is.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY centers on hapless Ted (Ben Stiller), who's having a Charlie Brown life. His therapist ducks out on his sessions, his friends have everything he wants, and he still can't get over the girl he almost went to prom with (Cameron Diaz). He's having fantasies about her and trying to forget the tragic zipper accident that sent him to the hospital for weeks and forced him to miss out on what he's sure would have been his perfect relationship. So he takes Dom's (Chris Elliot's) advice and hires a private investigator Healy (Matt Dillon) to find her so he can finally have closure and, maybe, a second chance at love. But can Healy find her, and if he can, can he resist her football-and-beer-loving charm?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (20 ):

Sure, the plot may sound like your typical romantic comedy -- but not with the Farrelly brothers at the helm. These are the same guys who brought you Dumb and Dumber, with its toilet humor and political incorrectness. Instead, this is a frat guy's idea of a romantic comedy, full of jokes at the expense of disabled people and women. Sure, the guys who fall for Mary are the ultimate joke; undeveloped man-boy idiots drooling over her charms -- how many leggy blondes are doctors who love beer and football?

If you can't stand this kind of humor, stay clear. And it's certainly not the thing for anyone with dating horror stories -- Chris Elliot's character won't be funny at all. But the film definitely has enough to satisfy adult gross-out humor fans.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of this movie and the whole gross-out genre. Do you think these extremely flawed characters are funny? What do you think about angelic and idealized Mary in comparison?

  • Is this film equally funny to men and women? Why or why not?

  • Were there parts of the film you found more offensive than funny? Would you seek out other movies like this or stick to lighter comedy fare?

Movie Details

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