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Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones (which includes at-home teens) through you, their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word MAR23131  (2003), PG |
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ALERT: To fully understand this report you should first visit the topics suggested by the CAP Site Map (Table of Contents). Further, if you do not want the plot, ending, or "secrets" of a movie spoiled for you, skip the Summary/Commentary. In any case, be sure to visit the Findings/Scoring section -- it is completely objective to His Word and is the heart of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model applied to this movie. |  |
 (2003), PG -- ... there are matters that may warrant your concerns as a parent.  Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): 20th Century Fox, Robert Simonds Productions Distribution (US): 20th Century Fox Film Corporation Director(s): Shawn Levy Producer(s): Michael Barnathan, Dustin Bernard, Carrie Brody, Ben Myron, Ira Shuman, Robert Simonds Written by:Frank B. Gilbreth Jr., Ernestine Gilbreth Carey Screenplay: Craig Titley, Joel Cohen, Sam Harper, Alec Sokolow Cinematography/Camera: Jonathan Brown Music: Christophe Beck Film Editing: George Folsey Jr. Casting: Nancy Klopper Production Design: Nina Ruscio Art Direction: Scott Meehan Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6 Tom Baker (Steve Martin) is a Division 3 college football coach In Evanston, IL and father of 12 with longings to coach a major college football team. But Tom is content with what he has since he is a family man first and foremost. Tom was so devoted to his family that he was willing to spend his working life at a Division 3 college as its football coach even though it is far below his aspirations and dreams to coach a major college team. The story opens with the entire family functioning like a well oiled machine as they execute daily routines with expert rhythm down to buttering toast. But one day, one of Tom's college football buddies, now department head at Tom's old college in Chicago, comes to Tom with an offer to be head coach at his old University -- a major upgrade and answer to his "prayers." So, Tom packs up his deeply reluctant family from all they know and love and carts them off four hours North to Chicago. Much to their chagrin, Tom's family must now make concessions to adapt to life in the big city with all the trimmings that go with it, including the social warfare the children must suffer. And if the major burden on his kids of a new life in a new town at a new school with new kids wasn't enough, once the Bakers got settled Tom's wife, Kate (Bonnie Hunt) was notified the book she had been working on, "Cheaper by the Dozen" about raising 12 kids (imagine that), was going to be published which required a book tour that would take her away from the family for three days at first, then for two weeks ... a tour which included an interview with Opra Winfrey. Tom was now faced with being father and mother for 11 in-home kids, all in a new home in a new town. One of the children, Nora (Piper Perabo) was out on her own and shacking with a guy. And that sets the stage for about 75 more minutes of a total of 93 minutes of slapstick and Rube Goldberg comedy dusted with a few grains of alum. While there are some instances of fine family-oriented comedy in Cheaper by the Dozen, there are matters that may warrant your concerns as a parent or grandparent. While each of the six CAP investigation areas (W, I, S, D, O, M) revealed programming worthy of a final score of 81 (well within the scoring cell established for PG movies in the comparative baseline database - 86 to 68 out of 100) and worthy of the display of the yellow CAPAlert light, your attention to the listing in the Findings/Scoring section may be of planning benefit to you. There is nothing in Cheaper by the Dozen of great boldness as is typical with some modern movies but a number of "lesser" issues of assault on morality and decency should be brought to your attention. There are examples of adolescent arrogance toward and defiance of parental authority. There are also a couple sexual innuendo and comments, dressing to maximize the female form and/or skin exposure, sneaking out for sex and excessive cleavage. In addition, the writers were sure to put at least one issue of comparatively bold sexual nature by having a dog nuzzle the crotch of a man then attacking his crotch. [Mark 7:21] However, there was only one instance of drunkenness [Eph. 5:18] and no instances of smoking or use/possession of illegal drugs nor were there any instances of murder or suicide such as the self-sacrifice suicide of Tinkerbell in Peter Pan [2003]. There is one instance of foul language [Prov. 8:13] and one instance of the use of God's name in vain with the four letter expletive however masked the writers tried to make it plus two uses without the four letter expletive [Deut. 5:11]. The listing in the Findings/Scoring section provides all that was noted.
SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.
***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry*** As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
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 Wanton Violence/Crime (W) Impudence/Hate (I) Sexual Immorality (S) Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O) Murder/Suicide (M) |
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| There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our more than eight years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings. |
