Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this moving drama, based on a short story by Raymond Carver, is far from the usual broad comedies that star Will Ferrell is known for. Though inflected with humor, it's a serious and sobering (no pun intended) movie about a man slipping over the brink of life -- giving in to his alcoholism and losing his marriage and all his belongings. There's some swearing (including "s--t" and "f--k"), a few brief sexually charged scenes (with partial nudity and kink), and loads and loads of drinking (the lead character is an alcoholic, after all).

Sexual Content

A couple is shown in S&M wear, presumably having sex. A middle-schooler finds a trove of Playboy magazines. Conversations about infidelity.

Violence

A man slashes a tire and keys a car; later, he has a confrontation with someone in a parking lot. Some shoving and yelling. The man also urinates into a fish pond out of spite and throws an object at a window.

Language

Words include "s--t," "f--k," "piss," "ass," "a--hole," "bulls--t," "crap," "damn," and more.

Social Behavior

Amid the serious content, the movie's main message is a simple but important one: Addiction destroys. It's paired with the notion that redemption is available if you want it.

Consumerism

Pabst Blue Ribbon is prominently displayed; other labels seen include Budweiser, Schwinn, and Taurus.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

The main character is an alcoholic who is seen guzzling from beer cans, sometimes with desperation. There's nothing glamorous about it at all.