News
Comedy snips crude talk for PG rating
Jan. 22, 2009 – Filmmakers will cut films to achieved desired audience classification and upcoming release New in Town acknowledges snipping some foul language to get a PG (parental guidance) rating, instead of the more restrictive PG-13.
Marketing to Moviegoers notes that historically parties involved are loath to admit to making edits to appease the ratings board, but the movie’s distributor, Lionsgate, is a publicly-traded company and perhaps wanted to alert investors it is going for a broad audience. A statement (below) from Lionsgate and the film’s producer Gold Circle Films (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) says that they “decided to delete strong language from the film, making NEW IN TOWN more accessible and acceptable to the entire family.”
When unheralded Marley & Me topped box office in late December, Marketing to Moviegoers pointed out it was a PG film vs. mostly PG-13 competition.
New In Town was among nine films whose classification was announced yesterday, though not all will premiere in cinemas. Its PG also carries the caution “rated for language and some suggestive material.”
New In Town, which is a romantic comedy starring Rene Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr., is scheduled for premiere Jan. 30.
The voluntary national ratings board is the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), which is based in Los Angeles and administered by major studio trade group MPAA with the National Assn. of Theatre Owners. Fees paid by distributors submitting films makes CARA self-funding. Films distributed by independents are fully included.
PRESS RELEASE
Lionsgate® and Gold Circle Films Romantic Comedy Receives Family-Friendly PG Rating From MPAA
Academy Award® Winner Renée Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. Star
SANTA MONICA, CA -- LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading next generation filmed entertainment studio, and Gold Circle Films today announced that the MPAA has changed the rating on the upcoming romantic comedy NEW IN TOWN from PG-13 to PG. Lionsgate and Gold Circle jointly decided to delete strong language from the film, making NEW IN TOWN more accessible and acceptable to the entire family. The film, which stars Academy Award® winner Renée Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr., has received strong early word-of-mouth from family-friendly audiences.
SYNOPSIS
Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) is an ambitious, up-and-coming executive living in Miami. She loves her shoes, she loves her cars and she loves climbing the corporate ladder. When she is offered a temporary assignment - in the middle of nowhere - to restructure a manufacturing plant, she jumps at the opportunity, knowing that a big promotion is close at hand. What begins as a straightforward job assignment becomes a life-changing experience as Lucy discovers greater meaning in her life and, most unexpectedly, the man of her dreams (Harry Connick Jr.).
Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) is an ambitious, up-and-coming executive living in Miami. She loves her shoes, she loves her cars and she loves climbing the corporate ladder. When she is offered a temporary assignment - in the middle of nowhere - to restructure a manufacturing plant, she jumps at the opportunity, knowing that a big promotion is close at hand. What begins as a straightforward job assignment becomes a life-changing experience as Lucy discovers greater meaning in her life and, most unexpectedly, the man of her dreams (Harry Connick Jr.).
For more information on the film, please visit http://www.newintownmovie.com
