Parents need to know that this film is not for kids. The protagonists are surrounded by difficult situations (one has alcoholic parents and is humiliated in school, another is a victim of an older brother's sexual abuse, a girl is suicidal and scars on her wrists are shown), and lack of parental involvement leads to substance abuse of all types, as well as copious amounts of swearing. Young teens pull dangerous pranks (such as cutting down telephone poles with chainsaws), break into wildlife parks and abandoned houses, and blatantly flout authority figures. These characters are rarely punished, and expulsion is treated lightly. Although characters draw obscene pictures and speak graphically about sex, their real-world experience is very limited, and little more than making out and touching above the waist is depicted onscreen. Animated sequences include a lot of comic book violence, and there is a deadly mauling by a mountain lion. There are also several conversations about masturbation.

Families can talk about the effect that Margie's secret has on those who know it. How does Sister Assumpta affect the boys? How does she change throughout the movie? How are adults portrayed in the film? How do the characters treat consequences? How does Tim's background affect the way that he sees the world? What is the importance of William Blake's poetry in the film? What does it mean to be a "dangerous thinker"? What is the point of Tim's 'trick' in the end? What does the film say about friendship? Forgiveness?