Oh Ryan Gosling, you do make speeches. I love this. More than words can say. Here is Mr. Gosling, as reported by Movieline, ripping the MPAA a new one and proves himself a God among men while doing so:
“You have to question a cinematic culture which preaches artistic expression, and yet would support a decision that is clearly a product of a patriarchy-dominant society, which tries to control how women are depicted on screen. The MPAA is okay supporting scenes that portray women in scenarios of sexual torture and violence for entertainment purposes, but they are trying to force us to look away from a scene that shows a woman in a sexual scenario, which is both complicit and complex. It’s misogynistic in nature to try and control a woman’s sexual presentation of self. I consider this an issue that is bigger than this film.”
One has to marvel at a culture that thinks it’s more than okay to watch a woman stabbed, raped, burned, tortured but having an orgasm?
Yeah, that is going to damage them beyond repair. Not a whole lot of difference, incidentally, between the fake orgasm Meg Ryan had in When Harry Met Sally and the fake orgasm Michelle Williams has in Blue Valentine, except of course that one looks more real than the other. Unless, of course, the MPAA was going off on the almost-abortion scene.  Michelle Williams adds to the discussion as well:
“The MPAA’s decision on Blue Valentine unmasks a taboo in our culture, that an honest portrayal of a relationship is more threatening than a sensationalized one,” says Williams. “Mainstream films often depict sex and violence in a manner that is disturbing and very far from reality. Yet, the MPAA regularly awards these films with a more audience friendly rating, enabling our culture’s desensitization to violence, rape, torture and brutality. Our film does not depict any of these attributes. It’s simply a candid look at the difficulties couples face in sustaining their relationships over time. Blue Valentine opens a door for couples to have a dialogue about the everyday realities of many relationships. This film was made in the spirit of love, honesty and intimacy. I hope that the MPAA will hear our pleas and reconsider their decision.”