Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Words, some of which takes place in an earlier time period, leans heavily on the idea of consequence, a subject that can be weighty but is also of value for young teens learning to consider the impact of their decisions and behavior. Expect a bit of swearing (one "f--k," a few "s--t"s, etc.) and kissing/making out. There's also some drinking, mostly in social settings (though occasionally to excess), and smoking (accurate for the earlier era that some of the movie takes place in). An infant's death is devastating to his parents.

Sexual Content

Couples kiss and make out, but there's no nudity.

Violence

Couples have heart-wrenching arguments; an infant dies from illness, leaving his parents devastated. A man throws his belongings around in a fit of anger.

Language

Relatively infrequent swearing includes one "f--k," plus "s--t," "goddamn," "hell," "ass," and "bulls--t."

Social Behavior

You can't run away from the past or bury it. Neither should you co-opt another person's history; you should instead embrace it and own it and try to learn from it. Every choice has a consequence.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Mostly social drinking by adults at parties and restaurants, though a few scenes show characters drinking and upset while inebriated. Lots of period-accurate smoking in the scenes set in the past.