Life of the Party

Life of the Party

movie

NR, 2017

WISE
42%

WISE Score

7.6

IMDb

Melissa McCarthy goes back to college in this formulaic, party-heavy comedy about divorce and second chances—fine for teens, skip for younger kids.

IMDb7.6
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Life of the Party is a paint-by-numbers comedy that delivers exactly what you'd expect: Melissa McCarthy doing her thing in a college setting, with predictable fish-out-of-water gags and a thin veneer of 'empowerment' messaging. The premise—divorced mom goes back to school—has potential for meaningful exploration of reinvention and resilience, but the execution is shallow and leans hard on college party culture for laughs.

The PG-13 rating is earned: sexual material, drug references, and frequent partying content mean this is not appropriate for younger kids. Dove.org doesn't approve it, and MovieGuide rates it 'extreme caution for older teens and adults.' If you're looking for a family movie night pick, this isn't it—unless your family is all teens and adults who are fine with raunchy humor.

For older teens (13+), it's harmless enough and might even spark some good conversations about divorce, self-esteem, and pursuing goals later in life. But let's be real: this is forgettable fluff. It's not offensive, but it's not particularly enriching or imaginative either. If your teen is a McCarthy superfan, go for it. Otherwise, there are better options.

Age Fit

This is best for teens 13+ and adults who enjoy light, wish-fulfillment comedies. The party-centric setting and mature humor (sexual jokes, drinking, profanity) make it inappropriate for younger kids. MovieGuide suggests 'extreme caution for older teenagers and adults,' which is about right.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
52

The film centers on a mother's resilience after divorce and lifelong learning, which are positive themes. However, the college party setting includes frequent alcohol references, casual sex jokes, and profanity that undercut the wholesomeness. The mother-daughter relationship is supportive, but the 'partying' content (enough to warrant specific MPAA callout) and sexual material drag this down significantly. It's wish-fulfillment comedy, not mean-spirited, but the tone skews toward adult humor rather than emotionally healthy family viewing.

Imaginative
38

This is a standard comedy setup—divorced mom goes back to college, fish-out-of-water hijinks ensue. The premise has been done many times (Back to School, Old School, etc.). There's no real creative spark or originality here; it's formulaic wish-fulfillment that hits expected beats. McCarthy's physical comedy adds some energy, but the film doesn't invite curiosity, exploration, or creative thinking. It's paint-by-numbers.

Safe
45

PG-13 for sexual material, drug references, and partying. Common Sense Media flags sexual content, profanity, violence, and substance use. Dove.org specifically cites concerns over sex, language, violence, drugs, and occasional nudity—they do not approve it. This isn't a horror film with jump scares, but the mature content (college hookup culture, drinking jokes, drug references) makes it unsafe for younger viewers who might stumble upon it. It's not traumatizing, but it's definitely not appropriate for kids under 13.

Enriching
48

The film does offer conversations about reinvention after divorce, the value of finishing what you started (her degree), and maintaining self-esteem during life transitions. The mother-daughter bond is positive. However, the execution is shallow—it's feel-good fluff rather than meaningful character development. Critics note it's 'sweet' wish-fulfillment but leans heavily on college-culture tropes. There's minimal cognitive or ethical depth here; it's entertainment first, with light thematic garnish.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Shows a mom reinventing herself after divorce, modeling resilience and the value of finishing what you started
  • The mother-daughter relationship is supportive and positive—they navigate awkwardness together
  • If your teen loves Melissa McCarthy's physical comedy style, this delivers her usual shtick
  • Can spark conversations about life transitions, self-esteem, and the idea that it's never too late to pursue goals
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What to Watch For

  • PG-13 for sexual material, drug references, and 'partying'—college hookup culture and drinking jokes are frequent
  • Profanity and occasional crude humor that may not align with your family's values
  • Dove.org does not approve due to concerns over sex, language, drugs, and nudity—this is not a family-friendly romp
  • The comedy is formulaic and predictable; if your teen is looking for something smart or original, this isn't it

Conversation Starters

  • "How do you think Deanna's decision to go back to school affected her daughter? Would you be embarrassed or proud if I did something like that?"
  • "What do you think about the way the movie shows college life? Does it match what you've heard or expect?"
  • "Deanna had to reinvent herself after a big life change. Have you ever had to start over or try something totally new?"

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