This Corpse Is Not Yet Berated

The credits rolled yesterday on Jack Valenti, who is best remembered as the father of the MPAA’s modern film ratings. He is also worst remembered as the figurehead of a mysterious organization whose self-declaratory authority and oversight on film ratings forced some of the most brilliant and progressive filmmakers of the last 30 years to tamper with their art. Yes, Valenti fought against piracy of Hollywood’s output in China and abolished the ancient nearly-Puritanical Hays code, but for all the good his easy to follow ratings system did, there was plenty of unchecked and unchallenged perversion of it’s original purpose that, as captain of the watch, Valenti and MPAA raters became the gatekeeper of Hollywood.

The documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated aptly explores and exposes the MPAA star chamber, which, if you have not seen already please do so. Testimonials from many an auteur of their attempts to fight arbitrary and illogical edits to their work illustrate both the awesome power of the group and the sickly moral high ground Valenti and cohorts extol. You have to wonder how, in modern day America, that censorship is not just allowed but flourishing virtually unchecked.

Spielberg gushed of the accomplishments of the man, as had many other stuffed shirts in the film business. Words like pioneer and visionary were offered. But I challenge that notion and side with the directors and writers who tried to evolve film and make the art form grow. That is why satirical fare like A Dirty Shame and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut kick so much ass – they stab at the MPAA rating double standard with knives fashioned by out of the same bizarre guidelines imposed on them, and ultimately get away with more.

Valenti did he what he thought was best, but like so many protectors of our well-being, he lost sight of what it meant to be fair and just because his standards were what was being applied, not one based on the needs of the many. When you stand on the moral high ground you lose perspective. Like Republicans and the religious right, it ends up being hypocrisy – publicly preaching in the name of goodness but being just as wicked outside of the limelight. They are the most dangerous of all figures because the truly believe the bullshit they are saying, and Valenti was no different. Let us hope we can undo some of the damage the MPAA has done at our expense, and see that of Valenti has a legacy it is for the right reasons.