A watchdog group is taking issue with Fifty Shades of Grey’s R-rating, believing that it doesn’t go nearly far enough in warning audiences of its content.
Morality in Media, an anti-pornography advocacy organization, likely feels the Fifty Shades of Grey R-rating, as set by the MPAA, should’ve been NC-17.
Or at least given a stronger, informative and much more accurate description.
It claims that the MPAA rating “severely undermines the violent themes in the film and does not adequately inform parents and patrons of the film’s content.”
The MPAA granted the film, based on E.L. James’ novel, an R rating for “strong sexual content including dialogue, some unusual behavior and graphic nudity.”
Morality in Media is particularly upset about the “unusual behavior” part.
Believing that the depraved sex life of Christian Grey is far more than “unusual,” the group slammed the MPAA for glossing over the nature of 50 Shades:
“What the term ‘unusual’ does not account for is the coercion, sexual violence, female inequality, and BDSM themes from which the entire plot is based.”
“Such a vague evaluation puts [Fifty Shades] viewers at risk, sending the message that humiliation is pleasurable and that torture should be sexually gratifying.”
What would they prefer that the rating’s synopsis read? How about:
“Promotes torture as sexually gratifying, graphic nudity, encourages stalking and abuse of power, promotes female inequality, glamorizes and legitimizes violence against women.’”
Well, sure. Is that it? Did you guys leave anything more out?
The group also says the Fifty Shades of Grey trailer “deceives the public with a visually appealing melodramatic love story that romanticizes and normalizes sexual violence.”
We have NO idea where they came up with that theory …