Pitch Perfect

Summary

College student Beca (Anna Kendrick) knows she does not want to be part of a clique, but that's exactly where she finds herself after arriving at her new school. Thrust in among mean gals, nice gals and just plain weird gals, Beca finds that the only thing they have in common is how well they sing together. She takes the women of the group out of their comfort zone of traditional arrangements and into a world of amazing harmonic combinations in a fight to the top of college music competitions.

What's the Story?

Beca (Anna Kendrick), an aspiring mixmaster/DJ, is a freshman at Barden University. Her father, a professor, won't let her drop out of college to move to Los Angeles and start her DJ-ing career without having her try college first. He ups the ante when he notices Beca spending more time in her dorm room than out on campus, attending classes and getting to know her peers. If she joins one group and gives it her all and still ends the year determined to move, he'll finance it himself. So off to the Bellas she goes; the Bellas, once an esteemed all-girl a cappella group, need new members. At the nationals the previous year, the now co-captain, Aubrey (Anna Camp), threw up onstage, ruining their chances. Then again, the Bellas have always played second fiddle to the Treblemakers, Barden's all-male group; the Bellas' repertoire is steeped in old songs, and they're stale. Beca thinks it's time to shake things up, and most everyone else agrees, but Aubrey is firmly in the skeptical camp. Can they make a comeback at this year's nationals? And can Beca keep her mind on the game when the Treblemakers' sweet and talented Jesse (Skylar Astin) is such a distraction?

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Pitch Perfect -- a winning musical comedy about a fiercely independent college student -- will give teens (and adults) plenty to like. Expect some strong language ("s--t," "bitch," "d--k," and one use of "f--k"), drug references, and underage drinking (though it's not heavily emphasized). There's also some kissing and lots of sexual innuendo and some sexual discussion, plus several jokes about a lesbian character's attraction to other women in the group. Although the young women portrayed here are, for the most part, strong and confident, sometimes a shaming word, "slut," is used to refer to them. Families can talk about why Beca seems so jaded when she first steps on campus. Is her position -- that she doesn't need to be in college to pursue her dream -- defensible? Fat Amy calls herself "fat" as a way to get ahead of any possible bullying and because she's proud of herself just the way she is. What do you think of this approach? (Also, talk to your kids about bullying and how to handle it if it happens.) Are college campuses really rife with this much competition among student groups? Are a cappella groups this cutthroat? What's the realistic take on this?