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FULL FRONTAL (R)

Plot Summary: An ensemble cast of characters must each come to terms with their life situations as their paths loosely connect at the party of a Hollywood producer.

Reason for the Rating: Language and some sexual content.

Okay, I admit it. If a movie has a title like FULL FRONTAL, a person probably shouldn't expect a lot out of it. However, once I discovered that this one does not, in fact, contain any nudity, I was kind of excited to see it.  After all, it stars Julia Roberts and a talented ensemble cast, and it's directed by Steven Soderbergh. 

 Soderbergh has proven his talent by directing an incredible string of movies including Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and Ocean's 11. So the title's a little weird…but everything else in the movie's favor makes it seem like a must-see, right?

Wrong.  

Well, it may still seem like a must-see, but believe me, it's not. In reality, FULL FRONTAL has a long list of flaws. But before I get into them, some of you may be wondering where you can even see this movie if you so desire. It's not playing in very many theatres, and it's not even showing very often where it is available.  Well, believe me, there's a reason for its lack of availability. Actually many reasons.

First of all, Full Frontal doesn't have much of a plot. It's sort of a movie within a movie within a movie (within a movie….), and it's hard to really follow what's going on. On top of that, whatever plot exists is quite confusing. 

The first hour only makes you wonder who on earth these people are, let alone what they're doing. Even when the plot starts to come together later, there are still too many loose ends to make it satisfying. Also, there's quite a bit of sexual humor--if you can call it humor. It's more like overkill; the whole movie is one long sexual innuendo, with profanity generously peppered throughout every sentence.  Parents beware.

Admittedly, it is well acted, unique in its cinematography, and it tries to make some interesting points. However, the characters are never developed enough to allow the audience to connect with them, and as a result the movie just seems to glorify disgusting lifestyles instead of show the human side of it all. Julia Roberts is simply not enough to save FULL FRONTAL, and although Soderbergh seemed to want to let his artistic side loose with this one, the end result is too much, and too messy, and simply not an entertaining movie for the rest of us to watch.

FamilyFans.com Recommends: Don't see FULL FRONTAL. It's just not worth your time.

After the Show…If members of your family choose to view this movie, use these questions to spark discussion about it afterward:

---Which character do you think was most unhappy in FULL FRONTAL? Why?

---What are some negative lifestyle choices made in the movie and how can you avoid choosing them?

---How could you react in a loving way if you had friends like the characters in this movie?

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