Parents need to know that this movie includes strong language, drinking, smoking, and drug use, violence, and very sad deaths. There's a sexual situation (and resulting childbirth). Tense moments include a violent confrontation and a serious health problem.
Violence:Character deaths (off camera). Sad and scary situations.
I agree with one of the other reviewers - what you expect will not necessarily happen so keep watching. And get out the tissues! This movie deals with big themes - poverty, social isolation, illness, death - making it a very useful vehicle for discussing tough subjects with your teenager. There is a pretty intense sex scene that you may want to fast forward but overall, it's an excellent film. The fact that it's a true story makes it all the more powerful.
The children were the high point of the film. I told my middle-school-aged daughters to hide their eyes during the sex scene. Otherwise, although the story was a combination of gritty and unreal, it was heart-warming.
The themes in this movie are intense but really meaningful and speak to family values and what life is about. There were many times I thought something bad was going to happen and it just didn't - so watch knowing things are okay. Even the death scene is handled with love and respect. It is a wonderful movie for anyone with daughters, anyone who's had to live through a loss and who understand how love wills out over all things. Bring Kleenex.