You can't have more than one 'f-word' in your movie and still get a PG-13. There have been a few exceptions over the years, but generally it's one 'f-word' in a non-sexual context. Anymore than that, and its an automatic R-rating. We can debate the morality/practicality of that specific rule. Hell, I'd probably agree with you that it's a silly arbitrary requirement, especially considering the sort of violent content that, thanks to the FEC's war on R-rated movies in 2001 (HERE), ends up in PG-13 movies. But at the end of the day, it's one of the MPAA's few ironclad rules. Thus I have little sympathy when Weinstein's films keep trying to skirt that 'one rule' and still attempt to get that PG-13. Their new documentary Bully may indeed be must-see viewing for teenagers. It may shed light on a major problem, affect the national conversation, and save lives. But if Harvey Weinstein and director Lee Hirsch want that PG-13, they should just bleep out the offending f-words. Period. We may not like the rules, but those are the rules as they stand at the moment.
Furthermore, even if the MPAA does reserve their decision and grant that PG-13 rating to Bully, the Weintstein Company will still have missed a major opportunity. I wrote about this in August 2010, when the studio fought the same battle over The Tillman Story. Point being, I'm sure that altering or bleeping a few choice profanities will not irrevocably harm Bully's impact as a probing study of the current problem with school-related harassment and assault. And I'd argue that eliminating said language would actually help the film achieve its goals, as such a film could actually be shown in schools where it could be the subject of in-class discussion and debate. This isn't about artistic freedom. The film will be released in theaters on March 30, be it with an uncut R-rated version or an altered-PG-13 cut. But, however we might disagree with said ratings guidelines, Weinstein and company surely knew what they were and made the choice to intentionally flaunt them while they were editing their finished product.
I may not agree with the MPAA's stance on profanity, but I'd rather a film like Bully be able to be used as a teaching tool than be a 'restricted' title based purely on an unwillingness to budge. It's not a fight worth having because it's not a fight worth losing. And now it's your turn to chime in.
Follow Scott Mendelson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ScottMendelson
I'm with Scott on this one. Harvey normally develops outstanding work. With a topic as important as this one, get past being told "No," remove the sound bite and show the documentary in schools. It IS too important.
No sale.
http://scottalanmendelson.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-hope-bully-gets-xxx-now-natos-john.html
Then you should be supporting the Weinstein Company's refusal to portray a watered down version of the reality of this grim and important subject rather than advising them to alter the film to meet arbitrary standards.
Let this movie carry an R rating. Theaters should allow anyone to see it, regardless of age. Even if they don't, if you are under 17 you can see the film if accompanied by an adult. If you don't want to be exposed to the language, then choose not to see it. Release an edited version on DVD (or include an alternate audio track) for schools to use. But let's be honest, the language in this film is the language of school children. This is nothing they aren't exposed to on a daily basis. It's just as real as the bullying, and pretending it doesn't exist isn't going to help anyone.
Sure there are movies that utilize what many would call “too much†swearing, but it’s relative. They are just words. But some folks allow “bad†words to affect them so much they can’t hear or notice anything else. I’ve heard people complain about the HBO series ‘Oz’ because of the “unnecessary languageâ€. All I could think is, “Man, if there is a group of people that I KNOW swear it’s prison inmates.†Personally it would be a pretty unbelievable show if someone on that show complained, “Shucky-durn it, you shanked me, you doo-doo head!†People swear so people in movies swear. Bullies swear and people who get bullied swear and teens swear so I’m sure there are actors in this movie about bullying who swear as well.
I don’t know all of the details to this case, but perhaps they are challenging the MPAA on this movie because of the hype and attention surrounding it. Maybe they see it like the ‘Scared Straight’ programs back in the 80’s. I recall plenty of rough language on that, directed AT children, because the intention was seen as beneficial if they steered kids away from crime and violence. Another one was ‘The Passion of the Christ’. For all of the folks who look down on my unrated horror collection of movies, if they have seen TPotC, they have seen the bloodiest and goriest movie ever made which contained as much torture as every ‘Saw’ movie combined. There is no way that should’ve been rated R, and little children were specifically brought to it. Suddenly one swear word can only be uttered once but not twice or the rating changes? Preposterous. The MPAA needs to do their job properly and stop referencing a catch-all rulesheet in such matters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Film_Is_Not_Yet_Rated
Swearing is often a cheap trick used in movies to attract youths [cause it's cool]
Bullying is not cool, F-words would be a distraction, to the very serious content and hopefully healthy discussion which may follow a viewing. Cleveland got rocked this week. If this is a quality serious movie, it needs no swear words to be treated seriously.
Why do children swear? One answer is to seem adult, [to act adult] Why smoke.. why drink, why make overt sexual remarks. I remember my youth...I was a dumb idiot!!
But I tried to act grown up in unhealthy ways. I don't think my youthful angst was unique. Bullying is also an expression of angst, and WOW! sometimes the results are
the most tragic possible. Even non violent bullying leaves a lasting negative effect on the bullied.
I made it to adulthood, I have [mostly] conquered and now own my well being. This is the Best Best thing I can say about getting older. I am content within myself.
Youth has miles to go before they "reap" this innate plateau of contentment.
I know there are a thousand ways to make this movie, total useless cream puff filled, or total useless angst filled. Both scenarios are commonly exploited in hollywood today for profit. What is the producers and directors intention. Snuff or Fluff ?
Parents should teach and be healthful examples, ...well that does not always happen.
Sometimes a movie with enlightened balance can teach and be a healthy experience
for youthful viewers. .....way above my paygrade,....I'm just sayin.