Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that God's Pocket -- a drama based on Pete Dexter's novel -- is one of Philip Seymour Hoffman's final films. It's very odd and off-kilter, seeming like it should be a dark comedy but presented as a grim, washed-out drama. There are several scenes of fighting, with spurts of blood and characters killed in brutal ways, and three somewhat graphic sex scenes, though relatively little nudity (one woman's bare breast and buttocks are glimpsed). One woman sleeps with two different men. Language is strong and frequent, including uses of "f--k," "s--t," "p---y," and the "N" word. Most of the characters drink heavily and frequently and are often drunk, and many scenes take place in a local bar. The movie's depressing tone and its treatment of the characters -- who are a pretty unredeemable bunch -- make it only for mature viewers.
Sexual
Content
A man is shown having rough sex with his wife. They're both under the covers, and she appears to have a nightgown on (no nudity). He asks her to talk dirty, and she does, though she's clearly not into it. Later, the same woman is seduced by another man. They're clearly shown having sex, although there's no nudity. An older man picks up a younger woman in a bar; she's shown topless in bed, with one breast visible. Her hand is off screen, moving up and down (sexual touching implied). The man talks about not being able to "get it up." In a later shot, the woman is shown sleeping on her stomach, with her naked bottom visible.
Violence
A young man is killed when he's hit in the back of the head with a lead pipe. The young man is shown wielding a knife and threatening people, holding it to one man's throat. A man fights two thugs, gouging out one man's eye; a spurt of blood is shown. An old lady shoots and kills two thugs in her flower shop; there are blood spatters on the walls. A man is punched in the face and is shown with a bloody nose. A couple of fighting scenes in bars; one is over quickly, but the other turns into a brutal beating, with several men punching and kicking a man in the street. A frozen corpse is shown from time to time.
Language
"F--k" is used a great deal, as are other words like "s--t," "p---y," the "N" word, "t-ts," "piss," "penis," "bitch," and "vagina," plus "Jesus" and "Jesus Christ" (as exclamations).
Social
Behavior
In this movie, some not-very-decent people make a series of poor decisions and don't seem to learn much of anything.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Most of the characters are shown to be regular drinkers, spending a lot of time in bars and drinking to drunkenness. They drink everything from beer and wine to whisky. One character drinks beer while driving. No one is referred to as an alcoholic; it's just a way of life. A young man pops some unidentified pills before going to work, and he starts acting crazy awhile later. Several minor characters are shown smoking cigarettes.
