The LA Times’ Stephen Zeitchik “goes there” with the MPAA’s absurdly conservative/misogynist NC-17 rating to Blue Valentine as compared to an R-rating given to Black Swan when both films feature a similar scene: oral sex on a woman –SPOILER ALERT — who is then brought to the big O. Nice work if you can get it, right? Just kidding. But seriously, folks. Zeitchik brings up a good point. However, I will say there are two distinct differences between the two scenes. Also, we’re assuming that this was the scene that caused the film to get the overly harsh rating, when in fact, it could have been a different scene.
If you want to know they’re different, click the jump. If not, pass on by. Nothing to see here.
In Black Swan, the sex is suggested but never shown, particularly. We see Mila Kunis headed into Natalie Portman’s nether regions, and we then focus mostly on Portman’s face. In Blue Valentine, it is perhaps more graphic in the way that it is a wider shot, with Ryan Gosling buried between Michelle Williams’ thighs. And so what? Both scenes are acted for the camera. Both scenes contain essentially the same act of love. Neither scene shows any body part. It is all suggested only.
The MPAA’s decision remains beyond conservative, and is just plain stupid to boot. An R rating tells you everything you need to know about what you’re going to see. Putting it on the level of NC-17, as we’ve already said ad nauseum, turns into porn, essentially.¬† Apparently, Henry and June was the first film to receive the NC-17 rating, and there is a scene in that film that is exactly like the scene between Kunis and Portman in Black Swan.
And on it goes. How about they cease and desist on the sex stuff and start focusing more on violence?