From what little I know about the film, Blue Valentine is billed as a gritty relationship drama starring critical darlings Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. It’s getting a lot of award buzz from various critics who have seen rough cuts, and it’s going to be the centerpiece of The Weinstein Company’s awards campaign. The movie was in some trouble after the MPAA slapped it with an NC-17 rating, which bans children under 17 from seeing it and generally ensures nobody will get to see the movie; major motion picture chains refuse to carry NC-17 films. After Harvey Weinstein himself got involved, the MPAA changed its decision and awarded Blue Valentine an R rating, thus allowing the film to survive without further cuts.
“After presenting our case to the MPAA appeal board today, they were convinced of the artistic nature of ‘Blue Valentine’ and recognized that it was consistent with the kind of movies for which the Weinstein Company is known,” said a thrilled Harvey Weinstein, who personally appealed to the MPAA to get the rating reversed.
“We believed in presenting relationships and sexuality with an honesty and truthfulness often lacking in the grand tradition of Hollywood sensationalism,” said Derek Cianfrance, the film’s director. “This is a victory for free speech and artistic integrity.”
Oh good, now the MPAA is able to resume its attack on digital piracy by jailing people who download Big Mama’s House.
Image: LA Times
Tags: Blue Valentine, Michelle Williams, Ryan Gosling, Harvey Weinstein, The Weinstein Company, Motion Picture Association of America, MPAA, Blue Valentine given R rating, R, NC-17, Blue Valentine’s rating changed from NC-17 to R, NC-17 rating reversed, movies, Hollywood, MPAA changes movie rating, Derek Cianfrance