Movie ratings don't fall out of the sky — it just seems that way.
Since 1968, anonymous members of the Motion Picture Association of America ratings board have all but dictated what the American public sees on-screen. The board has operated with impenetrable secrecy and unquestioned authority — until now.
"This Film Is Not Yet Rated" shines a stinging light on the shadowy organization's identity and practices. The documentary's journalistic accomplishments alone — exposing the flaws of the system and unmasking the members of the ratings and appeals board — would make the film worthwhile. Add in the sheer entertainment value, with slick pacing and an engaging presentation with clever animation, and you have one of the best films of the year.
Palo Verde High School graduate Kirby Dick, coming off his Oscar-nominated documentary "Twist of Faith" (2004), pulls a gleefully slanted burn on the MPAA that's as deliciously entertaining as "Super Size Me" or "Bowling for Columbine."
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Dick commands an all-sides attack, exposing the MPAA as a bullying, hypocritical organization with homophobic tendencies and slippery standards. Dick's research shows the board, supposedly composed of nine average parents with children ages 5 through 17, is made up of representatives from the largest studios. It claims not to censor, but it often hands out specific notes on which scenes need to be cut to drop from an NC-17 to an R, or from an R to PG-13, and it's notoriously harsher toward sex than violence.
Even though directors don't have to submit their films to the board, few theaters play unrated films. NC-17, which replaced the old X rating, has evolved into the board's version of the death penalty, since national theater chains shy away from showing films with that rating.
Dick rounds up a posse of jilted directors eager to share their board horror stories. Kevin Smith, Matt Stone, John Waters and Wayne Kramer jab at the MPAA's inconsistencies that send society mixed messages about sex, violence and vulgar language in art.
Dick illustrates the latter point in a virtuoso split-screen sequence in which he depicts similar sex acts in gay and straight material, finding parallel examples in body positioning, camera angles and lighting. This is the sequence that apparently drew the NC-17 rating.
An engaging sidebar traces Dick's discovery of the MPAA board members' identities through the help of a private investigation agency. The detective work adds a sense of mystery and discovery.
Later, Dick shifts the focus to his own journey, as his film is not surprisingly drilled with an NC-17, which he appeals.
Although "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" may be long on complaints and short on answers, it has so much fun complaining that it's tough to notice.
If the board's arcane process ever changes, much of the credit will go to Dick, whose film may well prove to be revolutionary.
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
****
Rated: NC-17 for some graphic sexual content
Director: Kirby Dick
Family call: Obviously, with an NC-17 label, the call has been made for you.
Running time: 97 minutes
Opens Friday at: The Loft
