Parents need to know that this drama (based on the book by the same name) is a thinly veiled take on the scandals of Bill Clinton's presidency. Even though the movie's characters are seeking the highest office in the land, they still cuss like longshoremen. Ethically, they're also in the gutter. The Jack Stanton character, presidential material, is a womanizer who makes no apologies (just perpetual cover-ups) for his personal flaws, yet charms us as much as he's supposed to charm the voters. The character who seems the most principled commits suicide.

Families can talk about the way Stanton's supporters stick by him, sometimes in spite of themselves, just for the chance to grab power (although allegedly to do some good for society down the line). Many claim that all our presidential-class politicians -- even "Honest Abe" Lincoln -- told folksy lies and played dirty to get into the White House and that that goal justifies their misdeeds. Parents can ask their kids if they agree with this, and whether the movie Stantons are like other real-life candidates, not just the Clintons.