Ted (2012)
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A man's life is complicated by the fact that his teddy bear friend came to life through a childhood wish.
The story
In 1985, a lonely boy named John Bennett makes a wish on a shooting star that brings his teddy bear, Ted, to life. Decades later, the two remain inseparable friends in Boston. However, as John's girlfriend, Lori, seeks a serious commitment, the presence of the crude and hedonistic Ted begins to interfere with their relationship and John's professional life. When a series of incidents involving Ted's behavior forces a confrontation, John must decide whether to keep his lifelong friend or move forward with his future.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1985, 8-year-old John Bennett's wish for his teddy bear Ted to come to life is granted by a shooting star. In 2012, the 35-year-old John and the crude, adult Ted live together in Boston. John's girlfriend, Lori, becomes frustrated with Ted's influence on John's life. After a series of mishaps, including Ted being found with prostitutes and later being lured by a promise to meet Sam J. Jones, the tension peaks when Lori breaks up with John. Following a violent brawl between the two friends, Ted attempts to reconcile them by arranging a meeting with Norah Jones. During a concert, John performs a song for Lori, which leads to a temporary reconciliation. However, Ted is kidnapped by a stalker named Donny. During a chase to Fenway Park, Donny rips Ted in half. John and Lori find Ted's remains, and he expresses his love for them before his magic fades. Lori makes a wish on a shooting star, and Ted is magically restored. The film ends with John and Lori getting married while Ted continues his life with his girlfriend, Tami-Lynn.
- First release year
- 2012
- Runtime (minutes)
- 106
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Seth MacFarlane
- Writers
- Seth MacFarlane · screenplay; Alec Sulkin · screenplay; Wellesley Wild · screenplay; Seth MacFarlane · story
- Cast and characters
- Mark Wahlberg · John Bennett; Mila Kunis · Lori Collins; Seth MacFerman · Ted; Joel McHale · Rex; Giovanni Ribisi · Donny
- Genres
- fantasy; stoner comedy; satirical; sex comedy; black comedy
- Themes
- friendship; growing up; wish fulfillment
- Tone and mood
- comedy; hedonistic
- Premise and plot tags
- sentient toys; buddy comedy; magical realism
- Franchise connections
- Ted
- Content notes
- drug use; alcoholism
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success, grossing $549 million worldwide.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 62 · scale: 100 · review count: 37
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Original Song · nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the highest-grossing comedy of 2012.; The film was the first to have two R-rated films gross over $21 million in a single weekend.; The film was the top grossing R-rated comedy of all time in Japan.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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