Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Life takes a look at the early career of actor James Dean (Dane DeHaan) and his relationship with Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson), a photographer for Life magazine who captured some of the most iconic images of the budding star. Expect plenty of smoking, as was common during the 1950s, and a few scenes show people drinking heavily and popping pills. There's some moderate swearing (including "s--t" and "f--k"), a brief sex scene in a bar bathroom (no nudity), and one longer scene of a couple in bed that shows a woman's breasts.

Sexual Content

A brief sex scene shows a drunken couple having sex in a bar bathroom; thrusting shown, but no body parts are visible. In another scene, two lovers relax in bed, nude; the woman's breasts are visible.

Violence

A studio executive makes casual threats to a young actor, warning him to toe the company line or face unpleasant consequences.

Language

Occasional swearing includes "s--t," "f--k," and "screw."

Social Behavior

Persistence can pay off.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Frequent smoking throughout (accurate for the era). Drinking at parties and bars; in one scene, some characters get quite drunk. One sequence shows people popping uppers.