For Better or Worse, Boys Will Be Boys
by Rebecca Grace
October 17, 2006
(AgapePress) - - "Deliciously disgusting" is how a Memphis, Tennessee, mother described How to Eat Fried Worms, a new film project from New Line Cinema and Walden Media. An adaptation of Thomas Rockwell's book by the same title, How to Eat Fried Worms recently released in theaters nationwide and is guaranteed to make audiences smile, laugh, flinch and maybe even gag as they watch 11-year-old Billy Forrester (Luke Benward) attempt to eat 10 worms in one day.The feat is the result of Billy challenging Joe Guire (Adam Hicks), the town bully, on Billy's first day at a new school, where he is teased from the get-go. In order to win the admiration of his new classmates, Billy makes a bet with Joe that he can eat 10 worms without getting sick. As the bet heats up, Billy has to muster up enough strength to silence his blabbering little brother, harden his weak stomach and shut his own big mouth.
Themes of acceptance, forgiveness, courage, friendship and integrity become important as the boys learn the harm in judging and bullying others and the benefits of doing right. The ending is redemptive, and there are strong lessons of morality and a positive family dynamic.
"[So] I'm hoping that it's not considered just a kid film, ..." said Valerie Gould, mother of Alexander Gould, who plays the role of Twitch. "One of the things I love about this movie ... is that it brings up a lot of discussion about how to treat other people ...."
"Families will walk away having gone through a myriad of emotions, ..." added Kenda Benward, mother of Luke Benward. "There are so many wonderful moments in this film, and I believe families will have a great time ...."
And a great time it is to watch a film that focuses on the fun, simplicity and innocence of boys being boys. However, it is important to point out some objectionable content, most of it meant for humor although still unacceptable to some. There is one use of what sounds like the Lord's name in vain as well as numerous instances of name-calling and references to vomiting. Boys are shown putting worms down their pants and shaking their bottoms. Some disrespect to authority is portrayed and words like "butt," "sphincter," "stupid," "hate" and "punks" are used. Billy's little brother makes several blunt comments about bodily functions and the male anatomy.
How to Eat Fried Worms is rated PG for mild bullying and some crude humor, but it is free from sex, nudity and essentially violence, and makes for 98 minutes of laugh-out-loud family fun. Those with weak stomachs should be aware that the movie is flat-out gross at times. Gummy worms are not recommended as a snack choice while viewing this film.
Here is what some of the cast and crew had to say about the movie when AFA Journal visited the set during filming:
- "Forgiveness is so very important and so sublime. I hope it's something people take away from this movie." -- Mark Johnson, co-producer
- "The message of this movie is to overcome your fears and to try your hardest when you commit to something." -- Luke Benward as Billy
- "I hope they [viewers] are entertained in a non-cynical way. So many stories about children depict the children being smarter than adults or outwitting some big evil problem. That all seems far-fetched, and there is an innocence about ... [this story] that I hope we preserve." -- Bob Dolman, screenwriter and director
How to Eat Fried Worms is scheduled for DVD release in early December.
Rebecca Grace, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is staff writer for AFA Journal, a monthly publication of the American Family Association. This article, printed with permission, appears in the October 2006 issue.
