The film takes a hard look at the way in which emotionally damaged people attempt to find meaning in their lives. It asserts that fear and lack of trust result in self-destructive behavior. Only love and opening your heart can lead to happiness.

Holly Golightly has an uncontrollable, hysterical reaction to very bad news. She destroys her apartment and throws her cat against the wall. In a second emotional scene, she sends the cat off in the rain alone.

Implied throughout is the fact that both main characters use their sexuality as a source of income. In Holly's case, she is a glamorous escort, though there is never a mention of her actually having sex with any of her customers (whom she calls "rats" and "super rats"). Paul is the "kept" sexual companion to a wealthy woman. There is some kissing; some scenes in which characters are seen in bed. A nightclub striptease is seen in its initial stages, revealing the stripper's bare back.

One "damn."

Greyhound, Cracker Jack, Tiffany’s, Carter's Five-and-Dime.

Characters drink and smoke in scene after scene. Consumption of alcohol is a primary activity of the players. There is one lengthy party in which everyone is shown to be drinking heavily and many people are very drunk. Holly Golightly plays one lengthy scene completely inebriated. Her long cigarette holder is played as part of her "wild" girl character.