Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that while it's been marketed as a teen-centric romance, the movie includes some heavy subject matter. Teen girls will want to see this drama thanks to star Adam Brody -- aka Seth from The O.C. -- but his character here isn't a teenager; instead, he's a man with women issues. A central character has cancer, and its onset affects her entire family. Plus, a teenage girl smokes, drinks, and has a combative relationship with her mother, and a sometimes-senile grandmother believes she's on the verge of death. There are a few passionate kisses, and the protagonist's job as an erotic-film writer is mentioned throughout the film.
Sexual
Content
Carter passionately kisses three different characters. In flashbacks, viewers see a montage of Carter and Sofia's relationship, including discreet glimpses of them making love in bed. Carter writes soft-core porn scripts and discusses a couple of scenes on the phone. Lucy confesses she had a pre-pubescent sexual episode. An extramarital affair is discussed in two pivotal scenes.
Violence
Lucy's ex-boyfriend clocks Carter in the face; another teen defends him by punching the ex.
Language
Regular PG-13 curse words: "s--t," ""assh--e," "screw," "hell," and a few sexual comments about orgasms, seduction, and pornography.
Social
Behavior
Carter spends time with his ailing grandmother and encourages Lucy to take a closer look at her mother. Sarah and Lucy repair their damaged mother-daughter relationship. Sarah deals valiantly with her illness.
Consumerism
Less than expected for a film marketed to teen girls: iPod, iMac, Mazda, Dairy Queen.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Carter and Lucy smoke cigarettes. Underage drinking is evident at a high-school party.
