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A Sex Scene Between Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling Emotionally Intense Enough to Trigger an NC-17 Is a Scene I Want to See

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (28)

Michelle_Williams_and_Ryan_G.jpg

With all the ratings controversy surrounding Derek Cianfrance’s Sundance hit Blue Valentine, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, I completely blanked on actually featuring the trailer on the site. I’ve heard exceptionally positive things about the movie coming out of Sundance, and it’s due in theaters at the end of the year (for an Oscar run, I’m assuming). I haven’t seen the film, or read enough about it to understand why the MPAA slapped it with an NC-17 rating (which the Weinsteins are appealing), but apparently, it has something to do with an emotionally-intense sex scene (although, the AV Club hilariously suggested that it was “for its shocking, gory depiction of a dying marriage”).

The trailer certainly doesn’t suggest anything insidious enough to warrant an NC-17, and given what I witnessed in Jackass 3D, I can only figure that it’s one of those arbitrary MPAA rulings based on whim. In either respect, the trailer looks compelling.

Logline: Blue Valentine is the story of love found and love lost told in past and present moments in time. Flooded with romantic memories of their courtship, Dean and Cindy use one night to try and save their failing marriage.









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Comments

The scene in question is emotionally gruelling and hard to watch, but it makes absolutely zero sense for Blue Valentine to get an NC-17 when both Last House on the Left and I Spit on Your Grave both got 'R's. No. Fucking. Sense.

NC-17 or no NC-17, the movie is incredible; I would highly recommend it.

Posted by: Jay at October 25, 2010 5:44 PM

Let us join hands in prayer Rowles that the NC-17 rating albatross isn’t what keeps this obvious Oscar winner from a date with destiny.

Posted by: Pookie at October 25, 2010 5:52 PM

Blue Valentine is the story of love found and love lost told in past and present moments in time.

So...it's a more serious 500 Days of Summer? Fuck.

And what's with always having Ryan Gosling staring out of bus windows? Is he, like, the fucking bus window king?

Posted by: DeistBrawler at October 25, 2010 6:00 PM

Don't you know by now? Meaningful sex in a relationship is evil and only permissible if, and only if, it is fully covered by the sheets. The MPAA also told me that international family features shouldn't be seen by unaccompanied minors who would be most affected by it (Whale Rider) and a sister and brother trying to cope with the final days of their father is something shameful that only restricted audiences should see (The Savages).

Posted by: Robert at October 25, 2010 6:12 PM

Shoulda had Stiffler run through with a rubber dong. Mighta got PG13

Posted by: Protoguy at October 25, 2010 6:24 PM

Does anyone else love his voice!!!????

Posted by: Theseus at October 25, 2010 6:27 PM

"Is he, like, the fucking bus window king?"

That? That right there needs to win some kind of fucking award.

Like, today.

Posted by: Skitz at October 25, 2010 6:27 PM

Goodness. I'm pretty sure my heart just melted after being frozen over.

Posted by: shanmarie at October 25, 2010 6:29 PM

Like, today.

Posted by: Skitz at October 25, 2010 6:27 PM

YES

Posted by: sailboat at October 25, 2010 6:44 PM

Totally just snickered into my pillow at "bus window king" like we're at a sleepover and have to be quiet.

I like Ryan Gosling because he reminds me of the "everyman". The guy you remember in high school who was nice to everyone and even though he was popular he wasn't too much of a douche. Likek he could live next door right now and if you borrowed an egg he wouldn't be mad. He'd probably offer two eggs in a Baggie.

I met Michelle when she was still with Heath at a children's play group with their daughter. She wore a black knit dress with a black kerchief tied under her chin and it didn't look ironic, hipster, or ugly.

Posted by: scorzi at October 25, 2010 7:02 PM

Seriously trying to figure out how you get an NC-17 for a sex scene in this type of movie. If there's no penetration showing, no thrusting, no pubic hair, no graphic rape, no puking, no pooping, no child molestation, what's left? Sobbing while fucking? That's all I can come up with.

If it's because of a jiggling boob I'll be pissed. Julianne Moore's jiggled in Boogie Nights and that was just an R.

Posted by: scorzi at October 25, 2010 7:06 PM

It's true what Jay said -- it's a hardcore scene, but NC-17 worthy? All that rating states is that North America isn't ready for reality... So frustrating.

(Either way, it's a beautifully intense film--completely worth the watch.)

Posted by: Sapphiar at October 25, 2010 8:01 PM

(soundtrack by Grizzly Bear, to boot!)

Posted by: Sapphiar at October 25, 2010 8:03 PM

OH, man, I want to see this SO BAD. And I'm over 17! Go me!

Posted by: Anna von Beav at October 25, 2010 8:43 PM

So it's a mashup of "Blue Velvet" and "My Bloody Valentine"?

No wonder it got an NC-17.

Posted by: , at October 25, 2010 9:06 PM

I just watched the trailer and nearly wept.

I showed it to roomate and she said, "It looks like one of those art films that's trying too hard. Like 500 Days of Summer."

Fist meet face.

Posted by: citizen_cris at October 25, 2010 10:01 PM

I, too, cannot wait to see this film, but if the bastard MPAA holds true to the NC-17, I'll probably have to wait 'til it comes out on DVD as I'm sure the dumb fucks here in South Texas won't screen an NC-17 film here at our generic-ass multiplexes.

On a non-bitter note, for anyone who digs Ryan Gosling's "goofy" singing voice in the trailer, check out his band, Dead Man's Bones. It's nothing like the other vanity music projects taken on by other "celebrities."

It's an enthralling sound. Sort of early Elvis meets The Magnetic Fields.

Posted by: AngelheadHipster at October 25, 2010 10:35 PM

Goddamn I love love love Ryan Gosling.

Michelle Williams less so. Though honestly she just needs to eat some hamburgers....

Will definitely see this.

Posted by: grace b at October 26, 2010 1:21 AM

jesus, this just looks depressing as all fuck. I mean, its probably brilliant story telling and movie making but good god damn... why willingly subject yourself to that kind of emotional torment?

Posted by: Lennon at October 26, 2010 3:34 AM

"Captivity" got a fucking R, and you know some awful parents took their little kids along when they went to see THAT. Fuck the MPAA.

Posted by: Edith at October 26, 2010 8:39 AM

I got to see this recently and met the producer at a film festival and he talked about the rating.

He was as confused as the audience was by the NC17 rating. The scene was definitely intense but certainly no worse than I've seen in other R rated movies. Completely arbitrary.

Either way I really loved this movie. Hopefully they win the appeal and definitely check it out when it comes out later this year.

Posted by: THRILLHO at October 26, 2010 9:45 AM

This movie looks really, really good.
I like honest depictions of relationships.
And the trailer almost made me cry...

But I don't understand why this is NC-17, and it frustrates me. I really want to see it. And I'm 15. So I guess I'm screwed (until the dvd or something).
I don't watch a lot of films with sex scenes. In general I try to avoid it. But I know that a LOT of movies with gratuitious, meaningless sex get R ratings. Is it because this is a real relationship? Because it actually has emotional significance? What the fuck, MPAA. Seriously. The double standard makes me angry.

Posted by: Talia at October 26, 2010 10:06 AM

Yeah, I can't watch movies like this. Too fucking depressing. I try to watch movies like this once in a while and I end up thinking, wow, great movie, now I want to go kill myself. Thanks.

Curious though @Scorzi, does a jiggling boob = NC-17 rating? Really? I really do love a jiggling boob, and I rather enjoyed Boogie Nights as well.

Posted by: Skeetikus at October 26, 2010 11:04 AM

I like Ryan Gosling because he reminds me of the "everyman". The guy you remember in high school who was nice to everyone and even though he was popular he wasn't too much of a douche. Likek he could live next door right now and if you borrowed an egg he wouldn't be mad. He'd probably offer two eggs in a Baggie.

You summed it up perfectly. Can't wait to see this.

Posted by: Melissa at October 26, 2010 11:13 AM

Damn. Yeah, that trailer was shocking and brutal, and... umm... yeah, I dunno. Maybe Ryan Gosling is just too damn hot to be viewed by those under the age of 17? That's all I got.

Posted by: Gabs at October 26, 2010 11:16 AM

Looks good. The comment about this being a mash-up between Blue Velvet and My Bloody Valentine is great, as of course is the "bus window" comment. Very entertaining. I don't want to take anything away from a movie I've not seen, but for some reason I kept thinking about "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" while watching this trailer: moody, bittersweet, camera lenses that may have been lightly coated in Vaseline...soft, tear-jerking light.

Posted by: Adam at November 10, 2010 1:30 PM

Ok I am not understanding why you people are having issues with the rating. Have you guys even seen the movie? From what Ive watched there are a couple of scenes that are way to steamy for anyone under 17. Its because the way the motion picture is, it is almost made to be realistic. So when they have sex all you hear are them and it is really realisic, the only thing that wasnt shown are the genitals. I was sitting here like OMG when I watched it..and it seemed that the movie liked o emphasize on them having sex. So get over it guys!

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