Is Hollywood Out Of Touch?

Critics of the new movie, "It's Complicated" are saying Y-E-S.  Because the Motion Picture Association of America has given the flick an R rating.  But not for reasons that you might think.  The film doesn't have a Hillary moment in which one of the two main characters - played by Meryl Streep - throws objects at the other - Alec Baldwin.  Nor is there an explicit nude scene with the two (thank God).

No nudity.  No violence.  So why the R?

New Film Ignites Debate on Ratings Policy
By Brooks Barnes, New York Times

Los Angeles — The romantic comedy “It’s Complicated” arrived at the multiplex on Friday complete with an R rating, ranking it in the same category as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Basic Instinct” in the eyes of the Motion Picture Association of America.

But there is no violence in “It’s Complicated,” and the bedroom scenes are decidedly tame by contemporary standards. Instead, the R rating — which experts say could limit the box-office potential of the Universal Pictures film — comes largely from a sequence in which Steve Martin and Meryl Streep smoke marijuana.

The rating has kicked up dust in Hollywood, with movie bloggers starting blistering attacks on the M.P.A.A. for being out of touch. The marijuana lobby is equally miffed. [link]

I'm afraid I must agree.  I think if kids can handle the gruesome death of Mufasa, they can handle a couple of elderly has-been actors doin' the smoke-a-dope.

But I am also inclined to believe that it really doesn't matter what rating the MPAA puts on the movie.  Ain't no children going to want to go see it.  (Ain't no member of the From On High family goin' to see it either) (Alec Baldwin is still alive; who knew?)

But I did want to make a point.  About Hollywood being out of touch.  As exemplified by this movie.

Take a close look at this promotional photo:

It shows the Streep character and her husband (played by Steve Martin) sitting at the dinner table.  And what's on the table before them?  Water, white wine, and lettuce.  Meaning no disrespect, but does anyone out there actually sit down to a meal of leaves?  Ever?

Hello.  USA to Hollywood.

Tinseltown is indeed out of touch.  But not because of anything having to do with marijuana.  We're all out here eating Kentucky Fried Chicken - extra crispy - and Hollywood is depicting fun-loving couples feasting on crap that real Americans reserve for the guinea pig.

Get with it, people!  We want to see a romantic comedy with protagonists - clothed or otherwise - stoned or otherwise - mooshing Big Macs.  Sonic foot-longs.  Texas chili cheese fries.  The stuff that made America great.  Leave the leaves to the environmentalists and other lesser creatures.

Photo courtesy of Melinda Sue Gordon, Universal Pictures, and the New York Times

Click on the image to enlarge it.