Is Queenpins suitable for kids and teenagers? Queenpins, a dramedy inspired by true events, carries an R rating primarily due to strong language and themes of theft. While the film offers comedic moments, it also presents morally ambiguous scenarios, leaving viewers questioning who to root for. This Queenpins Parents Guide aims to provide parents with essential information to determine if this movie is appropriate for their children.
Queenpins Parents Guide
What is Queenpins About?
Queenpins introduces us to Connie Kaminski (Kristen Bell), a former Olympian now living a monotonous suburban life. Dealing with grief after multiple IVF cycles and the loss of a baby, Connie channels her energy into extreme couponing, alongside her best friend and neighbor, JoJo (Kirby Howell-Baptiste). Frustration with a stale cereal box leads Connie to write an angry letter to the cereal company, surprisingly resulting in a coupon for a free box.
This incident sparks a questionable yet “brilliant” idea in Connie and JoJo: creating an illicit coupon scheme. They aim to defraud corporations of millions while providing incredible deals to a community of coupon enthusiasts and savvy shoppers. However, their operation doesn’t go unnoticed. Ken (Paul Walter Hauser), a diligent Loss Prevention Officer from a local supermarket chain, teams up with a determined U.S. Postal Inspector (Vince Vaughn). Together, they embark on a mission to track down these newly crowned “Queenpins” of pink-collar crime, reminding everyone that nobody trifles with the Postal Service.
Why is Queenpins Rated R?
Queenpins received its R-rating primarily because of pervasive strong language and mature thematic elements. Let’s delve into the specifics:
Language
The movie features a significant amount of profanity. The expletives include frequent uses of “sh*t” (over 15 times), “fu*k” (over 16 times), “motherfu*kers” (twice), “a**” (four times), along with instances of “bullsh*t,” “bit*hes,” “g-ddamns,” and “dick.” The sheer volume of strong language contributes significantly to the R rating.
Mature Content
Beyond language, Queenpins incorporates mature content that parents should be aware of:
- A scene depicts a man on the toilet with his pants down, though the visuals are limited to his legs and imply rather than explicitly show anything inappropriate.
- The film touches upon sensitive topics such as miscarriage and infertility, which may be emotionally triggering for some viewers.
- There is a scene involving drawn guns, although no gunfire occurs.
- The central plot revolves around illegal activities, specifically the protagonists engaging in theft from corporations through a coupon scam. This moral ambiguity might be a point of discussion for parents and teens.
Is Queenpins Appropriate for Kids Under 16?
The primary concern for younger viewers, especially teenagers, is the extensive use of strong language in Queenpins. If parents are comfortable with this aspect, the remaining content might be less problematic. Whether teenagers will enjoy Queenpins is another question. While the narrative can be somewhat slow-paced at times, the comedic performances of Vince Vaughn and Paul Walter Hauser add considerable entertainment value and help maintain engagement.
Despite featuring Kristen Bell, known for her charming roles, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste, the film doesn’t fully capitalize on their comedic chemistry as seen in The Good Place. Interestingly, the unlikely pairing of Hauser and Vaughn often steals the show with their comedic timing and dynamic. This might overshadow the intended focus on the “bad-A boss ladies,” as the film humorously portrays law enforcement’s perspective.
The movie subtly explores themes of corporate accountability and public exploitation, which might resonate with viewers who have a sense of wanting to see large corporations held responsible. The audience is invited to sympathize with Connie’s situation, particularly when her insensitive husband (Joel McHale) dismisses her emotional pain after her miscarriage.
In conclusion, Queenpins offers a light-hearted take on a criminal escapade but is weighed down by excessive profanity. While it might deliver a temporary “coupon high” of entertainment, parents should carefully consider the language and mature themes before allowing younger teens to watch.
