Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
A predictable, faith-based holiday story will not engage children.
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What is the story?
NAUGHTY & NICE punishes rough-and-tumble Los Angeles radio host Pepper (Tilky Jones) after his on-air behavior offends a major advertiser. After his suspension, the company sends him to a romantic advice show in a small Colorado town. The place is populated by decent and honest people, including its sweet host, Sandra Love (Haylie Duff). Never has a jerk been more obviously in need of a good woman’s help. They take an immediate dislike to each other and romance blossoms from there.
Is it good?
This movie is a pointless rehashing of a tired old plot that will not appeal to children. A nice girl meets a rude and angry guy, meets the real person beneath his insidious layer of protection, and falls deeply in love with him, all in 89 minutes. This DJ’s snark won him rave reviews in LA, but earned him the ire of his new co-host in rural Colorado. “You’re smug, rude and using people’s lives to get a cheap laugh. We don’t do that on my show,” the psychology doctor tells the new guy. But, oops, she says it into a live microphone, and the on-air conflict also boosts her show’s ratings. Of course, she’s shocked when she quotes Christian scriptures to help a kid who forgot her lines in a Christmas pageant, a plot used to humanize the demons of Big City. So expect references to “lying in a manger,” “glory to God,” and “many hosts of heaven.” Because Naughty & Nice is made for television, has a lot of blackouts for commercials.
Talk to your kids about…
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Families can discuss how first impressions can sometimes be wrong. Why do you think some people like to present themselves as tougher than they really are on the inside?
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Do you think the fact that Sandra’s mother likes Pepper affects Sandra’s feelings about the guy? Mom mentions that Pepper looks a lot like Sandra’s dad. Do you think people look for famous people when trying to find friends?
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Is this a typical holiday story? Why or why not?
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a connection between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews that will be published on an ongoing basis. You can help us help children