The film addresses the pain of this world and how people choose to cope with it. It grapples with the sanctity of human life through its depiction of real-life events having to do with euthanasia. Drug use and drinking occurs throughout the film but is depicted as destructive. And there is unfortunately an excessive use of crudities and obscenities that while real to life could have been toned down. The United States of Leland raises good issues for discussion but fails to take a family-friendly approach in telling the story.