Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this British drama about a teenager who falls for her inattentive mother's boyfriend can be relentlessly bleak at times, and its mature themes may be too intense for all but the oldest of teens. But it's a powerful film with a heroine who's determined and resourceful in a world with few options. There's plenty of swearing and drinking, and not just by adults. Teens and tweens have their vices, too -- like drinking and picking fights -- and are seen indulging in them fairly frequently.

Sexual Content

An adult beds a teenager while her mother is passed out upstairs. He's shown removing her pants and positioning himself between her legs. A teen spies on her mother and her boyfriend while they have sex in the dark; her breasts are briefly shown, and his chest is bared. Couples dance suggestively; a teenager walks into a kitchen, where a man appears to be fondling a woman under her skirt (nothing is seen except for the hand under clothing).

Violence

A girl headbutts another and leaves her with a bloodied nose. A man slaps a teenager after she tries to kidnap his daughter. Two men manhandle a young woman after she tries to free their chained horse.

Language

Runs the gamut from "skanky" and "s--t" to "f--k" and "c--t."

Social Behavior

Despite enormous challenges, Mia bristles under the pressure to stay inert in an environment that's suffocating her. The message? You don't have to be a victim of your environment, though redemption and reinvention are hard to get, and true love even more so. The one true thing may be love of yourself.

Consumerism

Some beer labels; one of the characters is keen on stripping Volvos of parts for his own use. Certain CD covers are shown.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Both adults and children -- as young as tweens -- drink and smoke frequently.