YEAR: 2010
MPAA RATING: NC-17
There are many theories as to why this seemingly inoffensive indie movie was tagged with the dreaded NC-17 rating recently. The time-jumping film, directed by Derek Cianfrance, chronicles the dissolution of a couple’s (Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams) marriage. The MPAA is staying mum on its rationale for essentially crippling Blue Valentine’s marketability with a rating that prevents anyone under the age of 17 from seeing it. But Deadline’s Mike Fleming, who broke the story, believes that it stems from a scene in a hotel room in which Gosling’s character wants to have sex, but Williams’ character doesn’t, leading to a reportedly upsetting result. However, those at Awards Daily believe the film was given an NC-17 rating because of a scene in which Gosling’s character performs oral sex on Williams, bringing her to orgasm.