Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that while this indie coming-of-age drama about an obese 15-year-old boy is sometimes disturbing, it's ultimately thought provoking and good-hearted. That said, there's plenty of strong stuff here, particularly a scene in which a teen boy sexually touches a teen girl under a desk in class after bullying her into the situation. No details are shown, but the act is unmistakable. There's also a scene in which three teens take prescription pills and drink whiskey. Language is infrequent but strong, with uses of "f--k," "s--t," "c--k," "t-ts," and "p---y." And animal lovers should beware: There are several dead mice on view, plus a shot of a bird eating one of them. For older teens who can handle this intense content, the movie offers a worthwhile message: The main character manages to find friends on his own terms, without having to force himself to fit in -- a powerful example for teens who don't feel part of the mainstream themselves.
Sexual
Content
Teens frankly discuss various sexual acts. A teen boy sexually touches a teen girl in class, under a desk. No nudity, but the action is clear, and viewers see the girl closing her eyes and enjoying it -- despite the fact that the boy seems to have forced her into this position. Later, the same boy celebrates his "victory" by smelling his fingers. A teen boy and girl remove their clothes (no sensitive body parts shown) but wind up not touching each other.
Violence
A boy bullies a girl into a sexual situation (he touches her under a desk at school). Terri kills several mice with mousetraps and brings their little corpses into the woods to feed the birds. There are some disagreements and arguments, but no physical contact. A minor character dies (off screen), and the other characters attend her funeral.
Language
Fairly infrequent use of words including "f--k," "s--t," "c--k," "t-ts," and "p---y," as well as "ass," "butthole," "balls," "damn," "breast," and "God" (as an exclamation).
Social
Behavior
Over the course of the movie, several severely outcast characters slowly begin to come together to form a kind of surrogate family. This inclusiveness comes without question or terms; each and every person is welcome without having to change or give up anything.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
In one scene, teens drink whiskey and take prescription pills belonging to the main character's uncle. They begin to act silly and sleepy (and a little touchy-feely), and then they all pass out on the floor. The uncle has an unnamed condition that seems to make him disoriented, and he takes the pills throughout. In another scene, an adult wakes up with a hangover, but he hadn't been seen drinking.
