Why We Rated This Appropriate for Ages 15 and UP

What to watch out for

• Language:

  There's one extended sequence during which a key character has a violent outburst of venomous cursing, including all forms of "f--k" and "bulls--t." Other scattered swearing and profanity includes "pissed off," "buggered off," "t-ts," "nipp... More

  There's one extended sequence during which a key character has a violent outburst of venomous cursing, including all forms of "f--k" and "bulls--t." Other scattered swearing and profanity includes "pissed off," "buggered off," "t-ts," "nipples," "pubic triangle," "crap," "bitch," and "bastards." Close

• Drugs:

  Social drinking in many scenes. The film's opening sequence follows a group of female friends partying in clubs, then finds all of them very drunk and silly in an apartment. One character smokes and vows to quit.

• Sex:

  Playful banter and tossing of "falsies"; a young woman is shown in bra and panties during scene in physical therapy office; kissing and partial undressing during flirtatious sexual foreplay; some degree of uncertainty regarding the nature o... More

  Playful banter and tossing of "falsies"; a young woman is shown in bra and panties during scene in physical therapy office; kissing and partial undressing during flirtatious sexual foreplay; some degree of uncertainty regarding the nature of the feelings between the two women in the story's central friendship. Close

• Messages

• Consumerism:

  Tesso Oil.

• Violence:

  Schoolyard pushing and shoving; a homeless man appears threatening and volatile but really isn't; a man loses his temper, drives erratically, and menaces leading character.

What Parents Need to Know

About Happy-Go-Lucky

Parents need to know that, despite its "R" rating, there's very little offensive or upsetting material in this British comedy. With the exception of one profanity-filled, angry outburst near the end of the movie, the salty language is mostly a means of colorful, humorous expression. The young professional female characters do drink socially -- and get very drunk once -- but they don't engage in irresponsible behavior. Sexuality is limited to some playful teasing among the young women and one scene between adults who kiss, begin to undress, and sink onto a bed. A chance encounter between the heroine and a mentally ill homeless man is scary for a few moments but resolves without violence. She also has to deal with the explosive jealousy of an unstable admirer.

Families Can Talk About

Families can talk about what the movie means by "happy go lucky." Do you have to be naïve and unaware of the world's problems in order to be "happy"? How did the movie show that always trying to see life's bright side didn't mean that Poppy wasn't responsible and intelligent as well? What kind of choices did she make when facing angry or unhappy people? Were they good choices? Why or why not? Can you understand why some people were annoyed by Poppy's sunny personality?