Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so superfan comedy scores on age representation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
80 for Brady
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Lou (Lily Tomlin), Maura (Rita Moreno), Trish (Jane Fonda), and Betty (Sally Field) are best friends who've never missed a Patriots game since Tom Brady's debut in 2001. When the Patriots head to Super Bowl LI, the women do whatever it takes to get to the game to cheer on their favorite quarterback, calling themselves 80 FOR BRADY.
Is It Any Good?
There's a lot to be celebrated in this fun comedy. Even though it's not nearly as rollicking as writers Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins' previous effort, Booksmart, it positively depicts women over 70 as adventurous, gutsy, attractive, and necessary, which is all too rare in mainstream Hollywood cinema. Inspired by a newspaper photo of four women wearing "80 for Brady" sweatshirts, Halpern and Haskins imagined a story in which the friends go to the Super Bowl to meet "the G.O.A.T." Thanks to the presence of four acting legends who are comedic G.O.A.T.s themselves, the portions that reflect the women's lives, challenges, and friendship are some of the movie's best.
That said, the opening credits make very sure viewers don't miss the fact that Tom Brady is the film's producer, and that actually works against the film. When the women ooh and ahh over how handsome Brady is, and when characters talk about him as if he's a god, it feels obnoxiously self-congratulatory and narcissistic. Similarly, a spicy wings subplot is so adoring of Guy Fieri that it's hard not to wonder whether he paid to be in the film to promote himself. Still, Brady and his best football buddy Rob Gronkowski make their few minutes of on-screen time worth it, and the movie's crowd-pleasing nature makes it a fun watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why 80 for Brady is noteworthy for its representation of women over 70 (and 80 and 90!). How do the portrayals here compare to those in other films you've seen? Why is representation important for everyone, including people in underrepresented age groups?
How is quarterback Tom Brady's reputation as a comeback king used as inspiration for Lou? Does it inspire you? Why are perseverance and teamwork important character strengths and life skills?
Does the movie glamorize cannabis use? What message could that send to teens who see the movie?
How does this movie compare to other sports comedies? Why is that often a popular genre?
Tom Brady produced this film, which celebrates him. How does this compare to other "vanity" projects like The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (produced by and starring Nicolas Cage as himself) or Rocketman (the Elton John-produced autobiopic)? Are these movies made to appeal to existing fans or to everyone?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 3, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: May 2, 2023
- Cast: Lily Tomlin , Sally Field , Jane Fonda , Rita Moreno
- Director: Kyle Marvin
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Gay actors, Latino actors, Female writers
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship
- Character Strengths: Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: brief strong language, some drug content and some suggestive references
- Last updated: September 8, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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