Though it winds up strongly affirming marriage and family life, this comedy takes a path to that positive outcome that most viewers may not wish to follow. As a present to mark the arrival of her third child, an overworked and exhausted mother (Charlize Theron) is offered the free services of nanny (Mackenzie Davis) by her prosperous brother (Mark Duplass). Though she hesitates at first, she finds that the relief provided by the gifted young caregiver revitalizes her relationship with her loving, but distracted husband (Ron Livingston) and their two older kids.

Yet all is not as it seems. Some moral difficulties inherent in director Jason Reitman’s film, as scripted by Diablo Cody, are offset by its ultimate point. Others are resolved by unforeseen plot development. Still others remain mostly in the background.

Some misguided values, including implicit acceptance of promiscuity and homosexual acts, strong sexual content involving pornographic images, nudity, marital lovemaking and a problematic scene of childhood sexuality, a couple uses of profanity, numerous rough and crude terms.

The Catholic News Service classification is L – limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R – restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.