Not Exactly a Love Story

Vinnie has genuine empathy for others, and shows little tolerance for nasty behavior. He confronts a boy bragging about a date with Patsy, and takes a beating for it. After a tumultuous period at school, he works overtime to improve his grades and even takes up running. Patsy can seem self-absorbed and preoccupied with her status, but she shows flashes of humanity in her calls with Vinnie and occasional emotional bravery, like seeking out a onetime friend to apologize for treating her poorly. Vinnie's mother lacks maturity and is dealing with her own identity crisis. The other adults in his life are doing their best to get by in awkward circumstances. 

Vinnie first sees Patsy when he spies her undressing to her bra in her bedroom. Patsy is frightened by sexually aggressive behavior by Biff, who brags to classmates about touching her breast. Vinnie is embarrassed by an erection in public while wearing leather pants. There's occasional mild kissing, and references to Patsy's mother having an affair. In their phone conversations, Vinnie identifies himself as an obscene caller, Patsy often calls him a pervert, and there are references to talking dirty and impotence.