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Harvey Weinstein to appeal over Philomena's R rating Harvey Weinstein to appeal over Philomena's R rating
(30 days later)
Harvey Weinstein is to appeal against the R rating given to the British forced-adoption comedy-drama Philomena starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan by US censors.Harvey Weinstein is to appeal against the R rating given to the British forced-adoption comedy-drama Philomena starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan by US censors.
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The Classification and Ratings Administration, which administers the ratings system for the Motion Picture Association of America (Mpaa), has given Philomena the rating that excludes anyone under 17 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, apparently due to two uses of the word "fuck" by Coogan's character. In the UK, the film has been given a 12A, where under 12s are only admitted if accompanied by an adult.The Classification and Ratings Administration, which administers the ratings system for the Motion Picture Association of America (Mpaa), has given Philomena the rating that excludes anyone under 17 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, apparently due to two uses of the word "fuck" by Coogan's character. In the UK, the film has been given a 12A, where under 12s are only admitted if accompanied by an adult.
The Weinstein Company, which distributes the film in the US, embarked on a not dissimilar campaign after the high-school bullying documentary Bully was given an R rating. Eventually, a re-edited version of the film – which still contained three "fucks" – was given a PG-13 rating after a half-million strong petition swayed opinion.The Weinstein Company, which distributes the film in the US, embarked on a not dissimilar campaign after the high-school bullying documentary Bully was given an R rating. Eventually, a re-edited version of the film – which still contained three "fucks" – was given a PG-13 rating after a half-million strong petition swayed opinion.
Philomena may be unlikely to garner that level of grassroots support, but its heartstring-tugging theme means that the Weinstein Company is confident it can be aimed successfully at a mainstream audience, which will only be assisted by a lower age rating. The King's Speech, however, which was also burdened with an R, still grossed over $138m (£85m) in the US.Philomena may be unlikely to garner that level of grassroots support, but its heartstring-tugging theme means that the Weinstein Company is confident it can be aimed successfully at a mainstream audience, which will only be assisted by a lower age rating. The King's Speech, however, which was also burdened with an R, still grossed over $138m (£85m) in the US.
An unnamed source, "close to the film", is quoted by the Hollywood Reporter as saying: "It doesn't make sense why they didn't do it here. It's a wholesome movie that deserves to be seen by everybody."An unnamed source, "close to the film", is quoted by the Hollywood Reporter as saying: "It doesn't make sense why they didn't do it here. It's a wholesome movie that deserves to be seen by everybody."
And the clincher? The source again: "It's not even Judi Dench's character who says the word."And the clincher? The source again: "It's not even Judi Dench's character who says the word."
• Judi Dench serenaded by striking firefighters at Philomena premiere• Judi Dench serenaded by striking firefighters at Philomena premiere
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