Big Mamma's Boy

Story

Rocco (Frank Lotito) is 35, single, Italian and a self-proclaimed ‘big mamma’s boy’. Still living at home with his mother (Carmelina Di Guglielmo), Rocco struggles to have an independent life without her interference. Rocco’s father died some years earlier and since then his mother has depended on him. The mother-son dynamic is set to change when Rocco meets Katie (Holly Valance) through his job in real estate and falls instantly in love. Katie finds Rocco’s quirky ways endearing but won’t put up with his immaturity and inability to stand up to his mother.

Difficulties come up when Rocco tries to move out on his own to prove to Katie that he can live without his mother. Mamma won’t give up her baby without a fight and will do almost anything to keep him at home. Who will Rocco choose – the love of his life or his mother?

Themes

Family ties; possessive parents

Violence

This movie has minimal violence. There is one scene that could be seen as violent. It’s when the butcher threatens Rocco by showing him his knife. The butcher tells Rocco to be nice to mamma. The scene is meant to be funny.

Sexual references

This movie contains frequent sexual references, many of them objectifying women. For example:

Men often use sexual gestures to refer to having sex while making comments such as, ‘She’s hot’ and ‘Ooh yeah’.
As a young child, Rocco makes a sexual gesture about his parents having sex.
At Rocco’s work, the men talk about a new female workmate. They say negative things about her work abilities but argue about whether she’s ‘hot’ and what they’ll do if she is. Rocco goes into his boss’s office to complain about the new employee and asks his boss whether she’s ‘hot’.
Rocco is introduced to his very good-looking second cousin. While he talks to her, he can’t keep his eyes off her breasts. He uses the word ‘breasts’ accidentally in conversation.
Two men check out a woman’s bottom when she walks past, saying ‘nice’.
Men talk about a woman’s breasts as ‘melons’.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

This movie contains some use of substances. For example, Rocco and his work colleagues go to a pub where all of the patrons are drinking.

Nudity and sexual activity

This movie contains some nudity and sexual activity. For example:

Rocco is caught having sex with a client in the bedroom of a house he’s selling. Both are in their underwear. Rocco doesn’t get into trouble for this behaviour. Rather, his boss treats him like a hero, asks him whether the girl was ‘hot’ and also asks him for her number.
A scene shows Rocco and Katie kissing. The next scene is the following morning, and they’re in bed together, apparently naked.
Rocky and his flatmate Anton are seen naked from behind when his mother turns up at their house unexpectedly.

Product placement

The movie shows Fiat cars.

Coarse language

This movie contains coarse language and put-downs.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Big Mamma’s Boy is a comic look at a grown man still living with his mother. The movie’s about the trouble he has finding independence and having a real relationship.

The main messages from this movie are about balancing family loyalty and independence.

This movie could give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues such as:

the way the movie presents women and men
the workplace behaviour shown by Rocco, his boss and colleagues
the way the movie presents Australians of Italian origin.