Liar Liar

Liar Liar

movie

PG-13, 1997, Comedy, Fantasy

WISE
52%

WISE Score

83

Avg. Tomatometer

Jim Carrey can't lie for 24 hours and chaos ensues—funny for adults, awkward for kids who'll ask what 'adultery' means.

IMDb6.9
RT Critics83%
MC70
TMDB6.7
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Liar Liar was peak Jim Carrey in the '90s, and if you're a millennial parent feeling nostalgic, sure, revisit it on your own. But for today's kids? This is a tough sell.

The good news: there's a real message here about being present for your children and the importance of honesty. Fletcher's transformation from selfish lawyer to engaged dad has heart, and Carrey's commitment to physical comedy is undeniable.

The reality check: this movie is laced with sexual innuendo, crude humor, and adult workplace scenarios that make it awkward family viewing. The main legal case revolves around adultery and a woman using sex to get ahead—not exactly dinner-table material. Plus, the humor style is so aggressively '90s that modern kids might just stare blankly at the screen wondering why everyone thought this was funny.

It's rated PG-13 for good reason, but even for that age group, you're banking on them appreciating dated comedy stylings. If your tween loves old-school slapstick and you're prepared to field questions about infidelity, go for it. Otherwise, there are better family comedies that have aged more gracefully.

Age Fit

Best for 11-14 year olds who can handle PG-13 content and won't be traumatized by adult themes. Younger kids will be bored or confused; older teens will find it painfully dated and juvenile.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
68

The core message about honesty and being present for your child is genuinely positive. Fletcher's arc from selfish workaholic to engaged father models emotional growth. However, Jim Carrey's manic energy and some crude humor (bathroom jokes, sexual innuendo) undercut the wholesomeness. The pacing is chaotic in typical Carrey fashion, and there's a fair amount of adult workplace comedy that isn't exactly modeling kindness—Fletcher is often mean and manipulative before his transformation.

Imaginative
62

The high-concept premise—a magical birthday wish forcing someone to tell the truth—is clever and offers some creative situations. Carrey's physical comedy pushes boundaries in inventive ways. But it's fundamentally a one-joke movie that doesn't invite much audience participation or creative thinking. Kids won't be inspired to build or explore anything; they'll just watch Carrey flail around. The fantasy element is minimal and not deeply developed.

Safe
55

PG-13 territory with good reason. Contains sexual innuendo, crude bathroom humor, Carrey literally beating himself up in a bathroom scene that's played for laughs but is somewhat violent, references to adultery and infidelity as a major plot point, and workplace scenarios involving a woman using her looks to manipulate (the Samantha Cole case is pretty inappropriate). No gore or graphic content, but the sexual themes and adult situations make this a borderline choice for younger kids who might stumble into it thinking it's a silly family comedy.

Enriching
58

There's a legitimate lesson about honesty, keeping promises to your kids, and work-life balance. The film does explore consequences of lying and shows Fletcher learning to prioritize his son. But the entertainment value comes mostly from slapstick and crude jokes rather than meaningful character development. The ethical growth happens, but it's wrapped in so much juvenile humor that the takeaway gets diluted. It's funny but not particularly insightful beyond 'don't lie to your kid.'

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • The core message about keeping promises to your kids and being honest is genuinely heartwarming
  • Jim Carrey's physical comedy is legendary—kids who appreciate slapstick will find moments hilarious
  • Short runtime (86 min) means it won't overstay its welcome
  • Can spark real conversations about why lying damages relationships and trust
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What to Watch For

  • Sexual innuendo throughout—the main court case involves a woman who slept with her boss, and there are multiple crude references
  • Bathroom humor and a scene where Fletcher violently beats himself up (played for laughs but still intense)
  • Adult workplace dynamics and infidelity themes that will go over younger kids' heads or require uncomfortable explanations
  • Very 1990s energy—the humor style and cultural references feel dated for Gen Alpha kids

Conversation Starters

  • "Fletcher hurt his son by breaking promises. Have you ever felt let down when someone didn't keep their word?"
  • "Why do you think people lie? Are there times when a small lie might be okay, or is honesty always best?"
  • "Fletcher had to choose between his job and his family. What would you do in that situation?"
  • "Some of the jokes were pretty grown-up. Did anything confuse you or make you uncomfortable?"
Stills
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