What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the movie is not for kids. It alludes to a child's sexual abuse in language and impressionistic, somewhat hectic visuals. Characters talk explicitly about sex (specifically, gay sexual activity and desire). An unhappy writer misses his boyfriend, then develops a friendship with a boy he never meets. Characters lie to one another, sometimes maliciously, sometimes out of seeming illness. A couple of arguments end in minor violence (pushing and shoving). Characters are depressed, physically ill, and mean to one another. Characters smoke cigarettes and drink.
- Families can talk about artistic processes. How does Gabriel use his experiences to write his stories? How is his process different from or like Donna's lying? How do both characters use someone else's misfortune (illness, abuse) to gain attention for themselves? How can writing (and reading) also be a healthy, community-building process?