Blue Valentine Gets NC-17 Rating and a Trailer

Earlier this morning it was reported (via Deadline) that the MPAA had given the indie drama Blue Valentine an NC-17 rating. This pretty much ensures that this critically acclaimed Oscar contender won’t receive a wide opening and won’t be seen by the general public. If we’ve learned anything from the Hatchet II scandal, it’s that theater chains cave, and they don’t like to play things that don’t have the rating board’s blessing. Coincidentally, the same day this news broke a trailer was released for the film. We have the skinny on the risque rating plus the new trailer below…

The film stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams and here’s the description of the NC-17 scene that went a little too far for the MPAA.

The rating was given for a scene in which the characters played by  Gosling and Williams try to save their crumbling marriage by spending a night away in a hotel. They get drunk and their problems intensify when he wants to have sex and she doesn’t, but will to get him off her back. That hurts his pride and the result is an upsetting scene that makes you squirm, but is an honest one that establishes clearly that this couple has nothing left and isn’t going to make it because love has turned into contempt. There is barely any nudity in the scene, as I recall (though I haven’t seen it since last January) and there is no violence.

I haven’t seen the movie but one of our fellow writers reviewed the movie at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. You should really give it a read. From what we’ve heard it’s a brutally honest portrayal of a marriage gone down the tubes. No sugar coating. Just the truth.

Check out the trailer: