Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this is a mature, emotionally complicated film that isn't appropriate for kids. The movie is focused on a lifelong relationship between two male cowboys. Their meeting and discovery of mutual desire at film's start is pictured in a rough-seeming sex scene (with fairly explicit activity); from then on, their physical relationship is less overt. They argue, wrestle, and occasionally come to sexual-tension-filled blows. Characters curse (including use of "f--k" and homophobic slang), smoke, and drink hard liquor in a "manly" manner. Married couples also argue, as wives come to resent their husbands' "other" interests.

Sexual Content

Gay cowboys' first encounter is rough and surprising to both; later trysts are more poetic, and mostly offscreen.

Violence

Sexual tension and homophobia lead to fights; a father describes for his son a terrible murder of a gay man; a scene near the end shows a character's beating death at the hands of brutal homophobes.

Language

Cowboy talk, including slang (derogatory for "homosexual", genitals, and sex acts) and cursing (f-word).

Social Behavior

Characters struggle with homophobia (internalized and directed at them).

Consumerism

Tobacco and canned foods show labels.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Drinking, cigarette rolling and smoking; a brief scene where characters smoke a joint.