MovieChat Forums > The Joy Luck Club (1993) Discussion > Why was this movie rated 'R'?

Why was this movie rated 'R'?

posted 19 years ago by rsmith-28
30 replies | jump to latest

After watching this movie numerous times, I cannot figure out why it was given an 'R' rating. In my 9th/10th grade ESL English classes, we read an excerpt of the scene with Waverly as a chess champion and I would love to show the entire movie, but we cannot show rated 'R' movies in my school district. Other than the scene of the girl (who drowns her infant son) getting impregnated while standing up in the ball room (no pun intended), I cannot find any other reason to restrict this movie to 17 and up. Plenty of movies that are rated PG-13 have much racier sex scenes, violence, implied drug use, etc. than this great adaptation of Amy Tan's novel. Any ideas?

[–] Amy-53 19 years ago

In addition to the baby drowning scene, I would think it's because of language. There are certain heated scenes that make use of several 4-letter words. (Note, I'm not saying that I agree with it, but I can see why certain parts of the movie would have an R rating.)

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Shearer_Goddard_Russell 19 years ago

Isn't that so annoying? If they'd stayed a tad truer to the book and not used those certain 4-letter words (which were NOT in the novel), there'd be absolutely no reason why this couldn't be PG-13. I find it extremely annoying, because now that it's been slapped with this rating, I have friends who will refuse to watch it (even though I *know* they've seen PG-13s made now-a-days that are worse).

Jackie: Curfew is your parents' way of saying, 'I *love* you.'
Becky: I curfew, Darlene.

[–] loyaltubist 19 years ago

As a teacher, I wouldn't show the movie, even if it were rated PG, because of the odd sex scene. If it weren't for that, it would be PG-13.

[–] xix_azn_luv_xix 18 years ago

they showed ppl havin sex lol for a lil while

http://www.myspace.com/Evry1luvzaazngrl

[–] helen_of_troy19 18 years ago

What odd sex scene?

Its been a while since I've seen this movie...

[–] comradebunny 18 years ago

I'm a teacher and I have shown this movie in a Speech/Communications class (it's a great movie to use to analyze different types of communications and social interaction). During the "questionable" scene, I simply turned the TV around (it was on a cart).

Are we there yet?

[–] loyaltubist 18 years ago

Maybe they allow that in your district. I worked in a district (I recently resigned as a teacher) that would not even allow sanitized movies to be seen--guilt by association. When they allowed the sanitized versions, some teachers, unaware of the rule (and not very bright), often brought the theatrical versions to the classroom and it ruined it for everyone after that. We were lucky to get any movies after that... even the instructional film about Woody asking for a date with Anne.

No sane person is a pacifist if someone (or something) he loves is threatened.

[–] lapluieetmoi 13 years ago

Yeah I wouldn't show it to a bunch of kids. For one there are a lot of sex scenes, plus the rape scene. And also, kids wouldn't be able to understand everything about this film. It's a pretty complex film.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Witchblade06 12 years ago

The movie looked more PG-13. Very little cursing and not so much sexuality

[–] Shearer_Goddard_Russell 18 years ago

There are only like 2 scenes with severe cursing; as I said I've heard worse in today's PG-13s. The scene with the son drowning is not explicit; it happens off-camera and I don't think you even see the dead baby.

...and in conclusion, I would like to say that James Dean and Leo Gorcey are very hot.

[–] shamara26 18 years ago

It probably had to do with the double whammy of the baby-drowning scene and the wall-sex scene. Also, I'm sure the thrown condoms don't do anything to help. Sex scenes are usually given a higher rating than just violence, and violence against children is rated higher than v-a-a. For a great movie that explores this, see "This Film is not yet Rated". It's out in theaters, if I'm not mistaken. The rating system is very political, from what I've heard. Apparently there are often clergy members in on the rating.

"I'm an expert on tits. Tits and peanut butter."

[–] gilmored_85 18 years ago

As far as the sex secene goes, I think that the love scenes "The Notebook" were far more graphic, I haven't ever watched this particular scene all the way through but it didn't seem to last long. I wouldn't call using the "F-word" twice as grounds for an R rating. And when Ying-Ying's baby drowned, it seemed more sugestive than anything because you see the baby going under the water then hear water splashing around. So I don't understand why it was rated R either.

"Be Unique not a Eunuch!"

[–] elden-4 18 years ago

"I wouldn't call using the "F-word" twice as grounds for an R rating."

But that's exactly how it works. If it's used more than once it's rated R.

[–] PinnBallWizzardd 18 years ago

go see "american dreamz" pg13 with 2 effers

[–] krajackex 18 years ago

"I wouldn't call using the "F-word" twice as grounds for an R rating."

But that's exactly how it works. If it's used more than once it's rated R.

Yeah, I remember that being the rule, but I've noticed quite a few PG-13s now that get by with two...I've not seen one with three, though.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Molly-31 18 years ago

They rated it R so that people would go see it. They didn't want to give the impression that it was just another chick movie. Same logic by which perfectly innocuous pictures get a PG instead of a G.

[–] metal_militia 18 years ago

This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. If you know anything about how ratings affect viewers, it's that PG and PG-13 movies make far more than R movies. "Chick movies" tend to make much more money than most R rated dramas.

[–] Shearer_Goddard_Russell 18 years ago

<< It is all the content which gives it a mature rating. Let's face, could a 13 year old really understand any of the stories or emotions that were strongly depicted. Nowadays, this would be rated R.>>

Just because something is rated PG-13 wouldn't mean every 13 year old would want to go out and see it. When "Good Night and Good Luck" was released, did every family spring up and take their kids to go see it and understand it because it was PG? I don't believe so... also, I really don't think it would be R if it was released today. I really don't. How old was the PG-13 rating in 1993? Newer than not, right?

"Just close your eyes...but keep your mind wide open."

[–] powerstill 16 years ago

Maybe the way how Chinese men treated women in the past are not suitable for the advanced American society and their future kids.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] aris3133 18 years ago

First, the sex scene that everyone is talking about, as well as the baby being killed. Ying-Ying's story is just sad all around. Second, An-Mei's story about her mother being raped and having to give up her son, she got pregnant from the rape, also she had to slice quite a large chunk of out her arm to save her dying mother, it shows blood dripping into a bowl and then we assume that her mother was drinking the blood without anything else in the bowl. Erm...someone mentioned Waverly throwing the condoms all about, that probably didnt help matters any. Frankly I do not understand it either because, like many others have said, it is alot cleaner than many PG-13 movies today. Part of it may also be when it came out, 1993

Xander: Wait. I'm having an idea. Now I'm having a plan....and now I'm having a wiggins.

[–] xix_azn_luv_xix 18 years ago

I remember something about blood in a bowl...I'm watching the movie right now. LOL I couldn't remember if it was this movie or "The Last Emperor"

[–] lonelygirl15 18 years ago

What's up with all of your conservative school systems?!?! I know in mine we watched several R rated movies...

The Breakfast Club
Shakespeare in Love
Schindler's List
Roman Polanski's Macbeth

These are just the ones that come to mind..there were probably others too...

[–] lil_righter4 18 years ago

This was rated R for actually a fairly good reason. The content in which the film presents are purely adult, being promised a wife when still a toddler, concubines, babies sudmerged in water, some language. It is all the content which gives it a mature rating. Let's face, could a 13 year old really understand any of the stories or emotions that were strongly depicted. Nowadays, this would be rated R.

[–] hammer_principessa 18 years ago

hmm...being betrothed as a toddler doesn't seem like adult content to me.

Maybe they'll let you show it if you fast forward through the sex scene, but I've only read the book so I dont know how R the movie is...

[–] macklin-1 16 years ago

First, I think this should be required watching in school instead of the useless crap thay are teaching. But that's an opinion that is doomed to failure. For the teacher who won't show the R rated film to the students: Might I suggest a letter to the parents.

Resommend the R rated film to the parents and after viewing, let them decide if they want to show it and watch it with their kids. Personally, I think it would be better for everyone if they watched it as a family, instead of a school room.

If the response is good, you can bring up topics in class after a majority of the students have seen it such as culture, art, relationships, etc.

Macklin Crew

[–] Goodbye_from_Fox_In_A_Box 13 years ago

Why are people harping on this film not being appropriate for 13-year olds, and THAT'S why it should have an R-rating?? You must be 17 or older to see an R film, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. So do you not think that a 15 or 16-year old would understand it?

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