Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Our Song is the honest, insightful, and positive coming-of-age story of three high school girls. While almost all of the characters are African-American, Latino, or of mixed race, their stories and feelings are typical of kids of all ethnicities. The film considers boy-girl relationships, pregnancy, abortion, and birth control, as well as the broader issues of family, self-respect, and growing up. Underage teens at a party consume marijuana and alcohol, but there is no resulting drunkenness or negative behavior shown. Swearing is frequent: "f--k," "s--t," "ass." It's a thought-provoking film, without much plotting, focused more on character than event.
Sexual
Content
Other than a few kisses, no on-camera sexuality. There are, however, frank discussions about single teen parenting, abortion, sexually-transmitted diseases, and birth control. A prominent story line involves one girl's unexpected pregnancy.
Violence
A young woman on the fringe of the story commits suicide off-camera.
Language
Lots of cursing and use of obscenities: "f--k" in various forms, "s--t," "ass." One girl wears a T-shirt which reads "S--t Happens." Some additional playful swearing in Spanish, much of which is not translated.
Social
Behavior
This film stresses the importance of close family relationships, friendship, and open communication. Emphasizes trust, thoughtful decision-making, and positive support from others as methods of coping with the many challenges of coming of age generally, and, specifically, in a community where resources are in short supply.
Consumerism
Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Girl; Essence Magazine, Jet Magazine, Levis.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
A party shows underage kids drinking beer and smoking marijuana. One of the girls' fathers is in prison for dealing drugs.
