All is well in the film universe. Harvey Weinstein and pretty much the whole film community was up and arms when the MPAA gave Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine an NC-17 rating. While the motives are indeed profits and award season chances, I think that Harvey went to bat for Derek and everyone involved with the film because getting slapped with anything higher than an R-rating made no sense. After what I imagine was an impassioned and purely logical plea on the Weinstein Co.’s part, the film – a darling at Sundance, Cannes and TIFF Film Festivals will be seen by a wider audience and perhaps now stands a better chance at garnering further award kudos that the Indie Spirits Awards somehow managed to flub (only Williams received a mention).
The big controversy in the film had to do with what I imagine was the unsexy sex scene in the theme-hotel. I can’t help but briefly mention the contents of the scene…let’s just say that the scene is a heavy, unsettling pivotal, and emotionally truthful part of the film that says so much about a bruised relationship and the significant moments that lead to when a relationship is beyond repair. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are brilliant in this film and major kudos go to Cianfrance for bringing his actors to a place that I’m sure wasn’t the easiest for either thesps. Blue Valentine gets released in theaters on December 31st – look for exclusive interview with the director later this month.