16. MPAA Corruption
They use five main ratings for films: G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17, each of which can significantly limit a film’s audience.
Ostensibly, the ratings give potential moviegoers more information about the film they’re taking their families out to see.
In practice, it often comes down to secret backroom deals, a rigged appeals process, and the personal tastes and prejudices of the board’s secret members.
The ratings board consists of ten individuals with only the leader having their information made public. These people are not filmmakers, nor do they possess any significant experience with the film industry, and who actually appoints them to their position is frequently unclear.
These ten people determine which film gets what rating purely on their own whims. They refuse to make their criteria public, and are often vague on why they choose the ratings they do. Filmmakers can appeal if they feel they’ve received an unfair rating but major studio films always receive preferential treatment. Smaller indie films often have to take the rating they’re given.
Allegations of bribery and bias are often thrown at the MPAA but until audiences decide they should make their own decisions about what’s appropriate for their kids to watch, there’s very little that can be done.
