Discriminatory language includes peer-to-peer and self-referential uses of 'n****r' by African-American figures, as well as the term 'negro' which was in common usage by both blacks and whites in the 1950s and 1960s where the events of the film take place. There are also general references to racial discrimination and segregation, and the anti-racist aims of the American Civil Rights movement. Discrimination is not endorsed by the film as a whole.

There is a brief and discreet implication of a young girl's sexual abuse by a man which the child subsequently refuses to talk about.

A woman's life is depicted as being controlled by male figures, including her father and spouse who turn to physical abuse in moments of anger or jealousy. The violence is shown only briefly and without strong detail.

There is infrequent strong language ('f**k'), as well as milder terms such as 'bitch', 'whore', 'piss', 'shit', 'ass', 'asshole', 'damn', 'hell' and 'Christ'.