W.E. Review

Messages: It's hard to find positive messages in a movie about marital issues, adultery, and obsessive love, but there is one very important take-away: Women shouldn't stay in relationships where they're physically abused.

Role models: The only positive role model is Evgeni, who's helpful and kind to Wally, even though they barely know each other. Despite their legendary romance, it's hard to call Wallis and Edward positive role models, since they have an adulterous affair without regard for Wallis' husband Ernest. Wally's husband William, who's also having an affair, lies to and beats her, while Wally seems too obsessed with the life of Wallis Simpson to change her own until the very end.

Violence: There's a disturbing amount of domestic abuse in the story. Wallis is severely beaten by her first husband; she's kicked so hard that she miscarries (blood is shown pooling around her naked body). Wally's husband also beats her after a fight escalates into physical abuse. Wallis slaps Wally.

Sex: The movie opens with a bath scene in which viewers see a character's breasts. A few love scenes show lots of skin, but no additional shots of sensitive body parts. Wallis and Wally often strip down to their bras and panties or chemises.

Language: Strong language includes "f--k," "s--t," "f--king," "bulls--t," and (rarely) "c--t." Insults include "common," "trollop," "adulteress," etc.

Consumerism: Luxury brands such as Cartier, Jaguar, Chanel No. 5, Burberry, and Sotheby's, which is one of the movie's main settings.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: In both the '30s and the '90s, the characters chain-smoke cigarettes. Wallis and Edward are rarely seen without a cocktail or champagne in hand, and much is made about her legendary drinks. In one scene, Wallis and Edward drop Benzedrine into champagne and then act high. Evgeni also smokes, and he and Wally have vodka. Several dinner parties have lots of drinking. Wally takes fertility drugs, which she injects herself with throughout most of the movie.