Story

Frank Beardsley (Dennis Quaid) works for the US coastguard, and runs his family with the same military precision that he runs his ship. He has eight children who have moved many times throughout their lives. Helen (Rene Russo) is a creative designer with ten children, four of her own and six who are adopted. She believes in free expression and runs her family accordingly. When Frank and Helen meet quite by chance at a restaurant, they pick up where they left off many years ago when they were high school sweethearts and decide to get married.

Their children are less than impressed to find that they have a whole new bunch of brothers and sisters but an all out war occurs when they all move in together. Initially the Beardsley and the North children fight continually but then decide to unite against the common enemy—their parents—and decide to break up the marriage so that things can go back to the way they were. However unexpectedly for all the children, as they work together they begin to care for and respect each other and then it becomes a race against time to get their parents back together again.

Themes

Blended families

Violence

There is some slapstick violence in this movie, for example, children throwing things at each other, flicking paint etc. Parents are reminded that although comic violence may appear benign, and children usually enjoy it, over-exposure to comic violence can lead young children to believe that violence doesn’t really hurt.

Sexual references

One mild reference by the parents about getting some time alone together in their bedroom.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

There is a wild party towards the end of the movie with some drinking of alcohol.

Nudity and sexual activity

None

Product placement

None

Coarse language

Mild

Ideas to discuss with your children

Yours, Mine and Ours is a lighthearted comedy about what happens when two very different types of families try to make a home together. It is the same idea as the ‘Brady Bunch’ (which is even referenced in the film) but with a different set of challenges. The main message is that you shouldn’t judge people just on appearances and that if you make the effort to work with others, its surprising how positive the results can be.

Values parents may wish to encourage include:

• tolerance
• loyalty
• teamwork
• trust in others.

This movie could give parents the opportunity to discuss with their children attitudes and behaviours, and their consequences, such as the children hitting each other and throwing things.