Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
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The Story
Photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) specializes in shooting and having sex with lingerie models and starlets. He feels the same way about love and commitment that Charles Dickens’ miserly Ebenezer Scrooge felt about kindness and charity; they’re worthless. He’s not a good guy.
While at a weekend wedding for his younger brother, Connor’s behavior is especially deplorable. After trying to talk the couple out of getting married, since love is only for the “weak and uneducated,” he tries to seduce the mother of the bride and generally proceeds to ruin the wedding—much to the dismay of his childhood sweetheart Jenny (Jennifer Garner).
Soon, though, he is visited by the ghost of his dead, playboy uncle (Michael Douglas), who correctly predicts the Dickens-style visits of the ghosts of girlfriends past, present, and future. Will these glimpses provoke the self-addicted player to change his ways?
Content Issues
Sex, sex and more sex. The characters talk about it, joke about it, and stand around half-naked while talking and joking about it. Thankfully, we’re spared seeing any of it acted out (though we do see before-and-after scenes). There’s also plenty of alcohol consumed, mild profanity, and at least a dozen instances of God’s name used as swearing.
Worldview Talking Points
Your child may or may not be interested in this PG-13 rated mash up between a sex comedy and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”—and you may or may not be interested in letting them see it.
If they already have seen it, though, you might want to use the occasion to talk about some of the worldview issues on display in the film. A few of these questions might help. (You’ll see that some of the questions are pretty frank. Like the film, they may not be appropriate for all kids—or all parent/child relationships.)
- Do you know anyone who seems to care only about sex? Why do you think someone would make that the point of their whole life?
- Do you think it worked to use the plot of Charles Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” for a romantic/sex comedy? Why or why not?
- After being visited by the ghosts, Connor changes his mind about love and marriage. He seems to agree that love is more important than lust. Does that mean that the movie has a good message? Why or why not?
- Does a film that shows so many sexual images—and makes so many crude jokes about sex—really “mean it” when it tries to say at the end that love and marriage are better than lust and one-night stands?
- At the beginning of the story, Connor’s sexual worldview seems to be that everyone should have as much sex as they want without having to worry about love or commitment. How would you describe his sexual worldview at the end of the story?
- Do you think he would say that sex should be saved for marriage? Why or why not?
- What would you say is the Bible’s sexual worldview?
- Why do you think God and His Word make such a big deal about sexual purity? What is God’s motive for His commands about sex?
- What would you say are some of the benefits and negative consequences of having sexual experiences with people you’re not married to?
- We believe that God forgives sinful choices. Do you think someone who has gone against God’s instructions can start again?
- What do you think are the odds that someone with Connor’s sexual history will be able to be faithful to just one woman, especially without seeking help from God?
