Mason is a young man growing up in a dysfunctional environment. Before I explain any further, it is not dysfunctional because of it being a single parent household... It is dysfunctional because of what is and is not permitted. We are able to see Mason from an innocent 5 year old to a young man heading off to college. Along the way there are many life experiences that could be learned from but instead they're just cast aside. Being raised in a home with no personal responsibility, no consequences, no discipline leads down a path of self destruction. We are all responsible for our own choices but as a child we can't make those choices for ourselves. It's up to our parents to make those important decisions for us to help shape us into responsible, respectable human beings. Mason and his sister are both continually disrespectful and disruptive throughout. They turn to drugs and alcohol at an early age and their lives are shaped by people who don't have a clue how to shape their own. Throughout the movie, there is a heavy hand of PC (political correctness)ﾠand liberalism. Certain felony actions are done that if done in reverse, the media and critics would be all over this... but since it was done in this direction of course it's left alone. This film is being heralded as one of the best of 2014, and if you are happy with the youth of today... then maybe it fits. I for one cannot give this a decent ranking because this new generation scares me. The fact that they'll be in charge of our future is even scarier. Go see this if you want to see whatﾠyou don't want your child(ren) to become...