Into the West Review

Messages: Facing and dealing with loss instead of hiding from it is the big lesson here. The importance of belonging and family is also expressed.

Role models: At first Papa is an alcoholic who drinks his troubles away and ignores his kids, but once he starts to deal with the loss of his wife he makes a significant turnaround. The two brothers skip school for months, try to hitchhike, go on the run, and steal from a movie theater, yet Tito looks out for his younger brother Ossie and puts on a brave face despite the danger they're in.

Violence: A near-drowning of a major character. Ossie finds out that his mother died giving birth to him and both boys talk about the loss often. The white horse jumps over a fire and other obstacles with young boys on his back. He also kicks through an apartment wall when cornered by police who threaten to shoot him and hides from a pack of dogs on a fox hunt. Papa threatens someone teetering over a balcony and bloodies a man's face with a log.

Sex: Not an issue

Language: Pretty frequent use of language like "ass," "hell," "dammit," "bastard," and Irish slang like "bugger." Also phrases like "Holy mother of divine God" and "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph." Tito gives a man the finger. Plus hateful language toward the travelers.

Consumerism: The kids love old Westerns and a few play in the background. They also watch Back to the Future III when they sneak into the movie theater.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Papa is often shown drinking or recovering from a night of drinking while smoking heavily. One boy advises another, "When your dad goes to the welfare office go with him or he'll drink it all." Another boy yells down the street, "Your father is a wino!"