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Because I Said So

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Because I Said So

PG-13

Released Feb 2, 2007

1h 49m

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

3%

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156 Reviews

65%

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250,000+ Ratings

Daphne Wilder (Diane Keaton) is the proud mother of three women: Milly (Mandy Moore), Maggie (Lauren Graham) and Mae (Piper Perabo), and her love for her offspring knows no bounds. Because her youngest, always chooses the wrong man, she decides to take action to prevent Milly from repeating the mistakes of the past. Dating disaster ensues when Daphne tries to achieve her goal by placing an online personal ad for Milly.

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Critics Consensus

Overly reliant on caricatures and lacking any human insight, Because I Said So is an unfunny, cliche-ridden mess.

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Nell Minow

Beliefnet

This movie manages to be offensive and yet dull and predictable, as phony as a Kate Spade sidewalk knock-off bag and as unoriginal as the ready-for VH1 soundtrack.

Rated: F

Dec 9, 2014

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George Palathingal

Sydney Morning Herald

It's a lame duck of a film.

Rated: 1.5/5

May 4, 2007

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

I hated this movie. I think it's the worst performance of Diane Keaton's career.

Feb 20, 2007

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Never met a cliché it didn't love or a situation too hackneyed to be inserted into the mix.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 31, 2021

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

I really wanted to like Because I Said So, but ultimately I just felt pity for it.

Nov 21, 2019

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Megan Basham

WORLD

In the end, while the mixture looks sweet, it goes down decidedly sour.

Oct 16, 2018

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C M

I really like this movie. It’s fun and visually pleasing. I like the characters and storyline. I felt it was very relevant and find it relatable and funny. One of my favorite rom coms.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

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W. W

This one was a mixed bag for me — a little chaotic, a little sweet, and honestly, kind of fun if you go in not taking it too seriously. Diane Keaton is, of course, doing the most (in the best way), and the mother-daughter dynamic is messy but entertaining. There were definitely moments where the script tried too hard, and some of the plot points felt a bit over-the-top. But at the same time, it had charm. Mandy Moore brought warmth to the role, and despite all the drama, there were a few moments that genuinely landed — emotionally and comedically. It’s not perfect, and you kind of have to embrace the absurdity of it all. But if you’re in the mood for a light, slightly chaotic rom-com with heart underneath, this is worth a watch. Not a must-see, but not a waste either.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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Karen N

As a mom of adult daughters with Diane Keaton hair your review is a “I feel so attacked” moment. I love this movie, everyone in it, the colors, the decor, the silly story and of course, the cakes. Watch it again when you’re 60, RT and get back to me.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

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Franka V

It's the worst movie I have ever seen. Literally had a headache after it. Every character is either stupid or simply mean. I didn't even want a happy ending for any of them.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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William R

The way the script was written for Diane Keaton was a little over the top. Otherwise, it was enjoyable to see Mandy Moore at a younger age along with her two co-stars which are also good actresses and very beautiful!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/05/24

Full Review

Kayla W

I love a romcom, but the mother in this is so insanely awful it makes it hard to watch at times. Diane Keaton plays the same character in most of her movies though so if you like her in those, you’ll probably like her in this. Mandy Moore is adorable, and the supporting cast is great.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/06/24

Full Review

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Michael Lehmann

Director

Diane Keaton

Daphne Wilder

Mandy Moore

Milly

Lauren Graham

Maggie

Piper Perabo

Mae

Gabriel Macht

Johnny

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30%

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Synopsis

Daphne Wilder (Diane Keaton) is the proud mother of three women: Milly (Mandy Moore), Maggie (Lauren Graham) and Mae (Piper Perabo), and her love for her offspring knows no bounds. Because her youngest, always chooses the wrong man, she decides to take action to prevent Milly from repeating the mistakes of the past. Dating disaster ensues when Daphne tries to achieve her goal by placing an online personal ad for Milly.

Director: Michael Lehmann
Producer: Jessie Nelson, Paul Brooks, Michael Newstat
Screenwriter: Karen Leigh Hopkins, Jessie Nelson
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Gold Circle Films, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Partial Nudity|Dialogue|Sexual Content|Some Mature Thematic Material)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 2, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 15, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.6M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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