NC 17 Rating

The Weinstein Company will be appealing the MPAA's decision to slap Blue Valentine  with an NC-17 rating. The NC-17 rating is basically the kiss of death as no one under 17 can see the film, obviously, and more importantly some theater chains won't even screen movies with that rating. The TWC hopes they can present a convincing argument as to why it should be changed to an R rating when they meet with MPAA representatives in November.

"We are taking every possible step to contest the MPAA's decision," stated Harvey Weinstein in a statement on the rating. "We respect the work of the MPAA and we hope, after having a chance to sit down with them, they will see that our appeal is reasonable, and the film, which is an honest and personal portrait of a relationship, would be significantly harmed by such a rating."

The scene that earned the film the NC-17 rating involved a married couple (played by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams) having drunken sex in a hotel room. The MPAA has been widely criticized in the past for its process of rating films. It's incredible to me that films with graphic scenes of mutilations, gory violence, etc can earn R ratings, while anything sexual or with nudity earns an NC-17. There's something seriously wrong with the system used to judge what's suitable for audiences.

TWC picked up the film following its successful showing at the Sundance Film Festival. TWC is releasing Blue Valentine, which has been generating some awards buzz, on December 31, 2010.