The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) uses a ratings system to determine whether mainstream films are appropriate for American audiences. The MPAA movie ratings, which were first introduced in 1968 and have been revised several times since then, have been a source of contention among the filmmaking community and the general public. Many people believe that the ratings system is skewed toward certain belief systems, making it an outdated guide for modern audiences.
Currently, the rating system is divided into five categories, each of which is divided into age groups. “G” ratings are intended for a broad audience and are frequently assigned to films aimed at children. The “PG” rating indicates that some content is not suitable for young children and should be watched with parental supervision. Films with a “PG-13” rating are considered inappropriate for children under the age of 13, while those with a “R” rating are considered inappropriate for children under the age of 17. “NC-17” ratings are uncommon for widely released films, and they state that no one under the age of 17 is allowed to see the film in a theater.
Despite popular belief, movie ratings are not laws because they are unconstitutional. Many theaters use their “right to refuse service” protections to enforce MPAA ratings, and may require valid ID before admitting patrons to R or NC-17 rated films. While some may see this as a violation of their First Amendment rights, theaters are legally allowed to enforce the MPAA ratings requirements.
The amount of questionable content in a film is determined by the amount of foul language, violence, and depictions of sex, drug paraphernalia, and alcohol or drug abuse. While the exact rules aren’t set in stone and the MPAA has never made them public, there are some guidelines that can help a film move from one category to another. This refusal to reveal specific guidelines has sparked considerable debate, with many claiming that the decisions are arbitrary and not based on a published standard.
Some people believe that the ratings are skewed to punish films that depict sex. The NC-17 rating is almost always given to films that contain graphic sexual scenes, whereas the R rating is given to films that are extremely violent. Many critics of the MPAA movie ratings system, including film critic Roger Ebert, believe that the organization is attempting to enforce an outdated attitude toward sex in films. Many filmmakers are concerned about this issue because an NC-17 rated film will almost never be shown in mainstream theaters, severely limiting the opportunity for a profit.
Many people believe that the American movie rating system is severely flawed, and that it is based on guidelines that are no longer relevant to a 21st-century audience. However, there are no immediate solutions to the issues, as most parents agree that a rating system is extremely helpful in determining which films their children should see. While the movie ratings system has been updated several times over the years, the debate continues; what some see as a useful tool for selecting appropriate films is seen by others as thinly veiled censorship.