Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch the Oscar nominated film, Slumdog Millionaire. Every January I attempt to watch each film nominated for best picture. One of the unfortunate things about living in Utah County is the fact that most films nominated for best picture often don’t play here, same goes for independent films. Some are even lucky to play at the Tower Theater in SLC. The Tower does a great job of running these films, but sometimes I still miss out.
So far I have only seen two best picture films in their entirety, and one film was so boring I had to abandon my first attempt. Slumdog Millionaire was definitely not the one I had to try to watch twice. I was thoroughly engaged by the film from the first scene. Director Danny Boyle has a habit of doing that to me with the first 5 minutes of a film. Sunshine and 28 Days Later are prime examples of that. I highly recommend it to all my friends, but this is not why I’m writing this article.
It’s no secret to many of my distaste for the MPAA and the system of rating films in this country. Here are a couple of facts to chew on.
- The American rating system is the only ratings system in the world in which the identities of the raters themselves is unknown. There is no system or ability to keep the MPAA in check without these identities.
- There is no standard for rating films. The 2 F-word rule is a myth, proven by many films rated PG-13 or even PG which contain numerous uses of the F-word. Nudity is not an automatic R which has been proven. Doc Hollywood, Titanic, Airplane!, Sixteen Candles, and National Lampoon’s European Vacation are all examples of films with exposed female breasts, which received a rating of PG-13 or less. Sixteen Candles and Airplane! were rated PG. The PG-13 certification did not exist until late 1984.
- Films are rated based on the opinion of the rater themselves. They give their rating opinion, but again don’t have any standard or guideline to follow.
- Films ratings can be appealed by the director or producing company. However when making your appeal you are not allowed to use previous films as a reference to make your case. If you fail you can edit your film and resubmit it for rating.
Slumdog Millionaire was given an R certification by the MPAA, and I am hard pressed to find a reason. There is absolutely no sex, and no female nudity (there is a brief moment where you see the naked rear of a boy). ZERO F-WORDS, in fact very little language, and no violence in which any blood was depicted. This is an inspiring story about love and dedication. Far less abrasive than the borderline PG-13, The Dark Knight.
There have been many accusations made by independent film makers, claiming that there is a double standard for studio films as opposed to Independent films. Slumdog happens to be an independent production. Film makers allege that the relationship between the big studios and the MPAA garners leniency on their films.
One example is Matt Stone and Trey Parker. You may know them as the unruly creators of South Park. Before South Park was in production they made an independent film called Orgazmo, about an LDS missionary turned porn star to earn enough money to get married in the Mormon temple. Orgazmo was initially given an NC-17 rating. When they asked the MPAA what could be edited from the film to earn an R certification, the MPAA said couldn’t be specific because they wanted to avoid being labeled as a ‘censor group’. However when they created the film South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut they again received an NC-17 rating, but this time they were backed by Paramount and they got specific instructions on what to cut to earn an R rating. Interesting enough when they created Team America: World Police they purposely included obscene footage to put them over the top to receive an NC-17. They then edited the the film as they originally intended and got an R certification.
I believe that if the makers of Slumdog Millionaire weren’t rushed to release the film, to be a contender for the Oscars, they would have appealed the certification and won. This film is a classic example of the kind of movies that we need more and more of, and it should be accessible to a broader audience. I’m tired of frivolous movies that don’t seem to have an underlying moral. If one more Saw movie is made, I think I may just have to give up hope on the minds of this nation. We need more thinkers and less takers.
I may have mentioned this before, but a great documentary on the MPAA ratings system is available called, This Film Is Not Yet Rated. Please approach it with strong caution as it was given an NC-17 rating itself. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Recent Comments