Identity Thief (6/4/2013)

Rated R for sexual content and language.

Starring Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris, Genesis Rodriguez and Robert Patrick

Directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses)

Funny… but crude.

Sandy Bigelow Patterson (Jason Bateman) is a regular guy who is forced to an extreme situation when his identity is stolen. Diana (Melissa McCarthy) is the identity thief who is living it up on the outskirts of Miami. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Bigelow Patterson heads south to confront the woman with an all-access pass to his life. And he attempts to bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles back to Denver.

JONATHAN’S WORD: This movie had me torn. Overall it offered plenty of humor and heart, but several times during the film it opted for the low hanging fruit so popular today—raunchy humor.

TODD’S WORD: I agree, but this film actually surprised me. When I went into the theatre to review it, I thought, “R-rated, directed by the maker of Horrible Bosses… this is gonna be pure garbage.” And yes, the film delivered some of that expectation: 50+ f-bombs, and typical Melissa McCarthy raunchy humor, but in all honesty, the film offered so much more.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I agree. A film like this is messy morally. On one hand the story had a lot to offer: redeemable characters, a theme of redemption and grace, and a true glimpse of what compassion looks like. But the filmmakers didn’t refrain from showing all of Diana’s blemishes. She’s a thief, a foul mouthed drunk, she’s crude… the list of her scruples could go on. She’s probably somebody Jesus would have stopped alongside the road to talk to.

TODD’S WORD: That’s the interesting thing about redemption films. How much of the depravity do you need to include in the story?

JONATHAN’S WORD: I don’t know many Christians who agree where that line lies, but let’s be honest—this film definitely included some gratuitous moments, selling out for a cheap laugh.

TODD’S WORD: Let’s break it down a little bit. I think we have to start at why this movie is so good. Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy lead the cast and had me in stitches the whole time. It’s no secret I have a man-crush on Jason Bateman. And Melissa McCarthy is just flat out hilarious.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I agree. They both were great. No doubt, McCarthy is funny, and she proves her effectiveness when she takes you on a journey from despising her to, by the end of the film, growing to love her.

TODD’S WORD: This was an interesting odd couple/road trip movie. Jason Bateman played the straight man perfectly and Melissa McCarthy as the crazy one… Spectacular.

JONATHAN’S WORD: Yeah. I kept thinking Planes Trains and Automobiles with a little of Midnight Run.

TODD’S WORD: I also really like the “tender side.”

JONATHAN’S WORD: I bet you cried.

TODD’S WORD: No I didn’t cry, but I was impressed with the tender moments sprinkled into the mix. To me they seemed genuine and authentic. It also gave the filmmakers a chance to highlight a strong marriage and family. The way Sandy (Bateman) interacted with his wife and kids is a rarity on the big screen.

JONATHAN’S WORD: And I think we see a believable transformation in the McCarthy character Dianna. I don’t know if it would have happened that fast (we’re always limited to screen time), but she definitely encountered something genuine in Sandy’s love for his family.

TODD’S WORD: If it weren’t for the raunchy moments, I probably would have bought this film. I think this film is “Theater Worthy.”

JONATHAN’S WORD: I liked it too. I think the filmmaker could have made the film without the raunchy without losing anything. I’ll score it a “RENTAL.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Our kids thought this looked funny. Kids will definitely want to go see this one, but the answer still no. Plenty of language and other profane moments, and there’s what we would call a PG-13 sex scene (no nudity, just McCarthy hooking up with a guy in a motel room for a laugh). We’re glad the MPAA rated this R. It’s a lot more difficult for parents when films with this content squeeze out a PG-13 rating… and plenty do.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. In the film what motivated Diana to steal peoples identity? (She was trying to buy happiness/acceptance. She was trying to fill a void.)


2. In what ways are a lot of people like Diana? In what ways are we like Diana?


3. What are some crazy things that you’ve done to find acceptance? (Be prepared to share a personal story.)


4. Read John 15:15
   
   I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
   
   How do you feel knowing that Jesus calls you his friend?


5. What are some things we can do this week to be a better friend of Jesus?