Just Married is rated PG-13: for sexual content, some crude humor and a brief drug reference.

Honeymoons are not all they’re chalked up to be. Or so Tom Leezak (Ashton Kutcher) and Sarah McNerney (Brittany Murphy) soon discover.

The union of the pampered rich girl from Beverly Hills to the beer-guzzling sports enthusiast who works nightshifts as a radio traffic reporter, is viewed as ill fated from the very beginning by the bride’s socially conscious parents. But Sarah’s rebellious non-conforming nature is irresistibly drawn to the edginess of living with the unpredictable boy with the humble career. For Tom, the chemistry between them is only enhanced by the McNerney wealth and business connections. Throwing caution (and paternal advice) to the wind, the pair plunges into matrimony.

Yet the moment they say, "I do," everything goes wrong. Their European get-away is plagued from the start by their unusual klutziness and by being too tired to spend intimate time together. During an impromptu sexual tussle in an airplane bathroom, Tom gets his foot stuck in the toilet. Other misadventures include being thrown out of their hotel after an electric sexual aid starts a fire, destroying their rental car, and trashing a "five star" establishment in a fit of rage. Further complications arise as they sense a lack of honesty between them. The honeymoon’s final straw comes when Tom inadvertently picks up an amorous bar babe, and Sarah’s old boyfriend (played by Christian Kane) arrives. By the time they get home, the newlyweds are ready to file for divorce.

Although the pacing of the physical comedy works fairly well, the script relies heavily upon sexually aggressive dialogue and encounters. A smattering of language (including a sexual hand gesture), the use of alcohol throughout, and characters that need some serious help with anger management also provide concerns. For family viewing, the biggest issue may be the portrayal of sex as synonymous with love, because other than their physical attraction, this coupling has no substance for survival.

Perhaps the only positive thing to come from this film that quips, "A perfect relationship is ruined by marriage," is the brief council provided by Tom’s father (Raymond J. Barry). He suggests it’s time his son grew up and recognized living happily ever after takes work. Possessing that maturity constitutes the difference between making a lasting commitment and being Just Married.

Visit the official movie site.

If this review helped you find a great movie, or saved you time and money, please consider donating.

Donate Now or Learn more

Everyone tells Sarah and Tom they are too young to be married, although no one seems to think Sarah is too young to marry Peter. Why do you think they feel this way?

What qualities do you feel are essential to a lasting relationship?

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? is about an engagement that doesn’t meet the parents’ approval. Follow the Stars Home also examines the qualities required to make a marriage last, especially during challenging circumstances.