Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this smart teen comedy inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel The Scarlet Letter centers on a straight-laced teen (Emma Stone) who gets caught up in the school rumor mill (partly thanks to gossip spreading via Facebook and texting) -- a situation that many teens will be able to identify with. Labeled promiscuous after she tells a white lie and, later, exacerbates that lie with another, she quickly loses control of the situation (though, because this is a movie, she manages to cope with poise and wit). Although little action is shown, the subject of sex permeates the whole film, and there are lots of innuendoes/references and situations (including talk about losing virginity), as well as incidents in which kids judge one another. There's also some swearing (including "s--t") and allusions to underage drinking.
Sexual
Content
Though viewers don't actually see anyone having sex, the characters talk about it a lot, and the subject permeates the whole movie. Virginity (and the loss thereof) is a frequent topic of discussion. High schoolers gossip about a classmate's sex life. A girl and a boy fake having sex behind closed doors by making very loud grunting sounds and talking "dirty" to each other. A main character wears suggestive clothing to confront her "easy" reputation. A teacher talks about having sex with a student (who's of age). A quick glimpse of the side of a breast (the woman's a nudist). There's a vibrator in the movie, though it's not seen (wrapped in paper). Mention of a sexually transmitted disease.
Violence
A teen slaps a peer; another gets into a fight, though viewers don't see the actual skirmish -- just him nursing a bleeding nose. A guy gets pushy trying to kiss a girl.
Language
Language includes several uses of "s--t," plus "ass," "hell," "damn," "screw," "tw-t," "skank," "d--k," "t-t," and "whore." Also "goddamn" and "oh my God."
Social
Behavior
In keeping with its connection to Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the film thumbs its nose at hypocrisy and those who stand in judgment of others. Though it sometimes goes about this noble goal in a ham-handed way -- i.e. by stereotyping certain groups (like Christians and high schoolers in general) -- it does confront important questions about labeling and judging others (especially when your own life isn't perfect).
Consumerism
Lots of logos/mentions of stores/brands, including Costco, Home Depot, Target, Quiznos, T.J. Maxx, Bath & Body Works, and other mall-type stores (most are in the context of gift cards that the main character takes as payment for doing reptuation-related "favors" for guys).
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
A bong is shown briefly. A teen asks another if he can fetch her a drink at a party (though viewers don't see them imbibing).
