At the recommendation of my friend, Rob and at the prodding of Dan, I am re-emerging onto the blogscape with thoughts on the recent hubub over “Facing the Giants” receiving a PG rating from MPAA.
If you’ve not heard about it, you can read of it here:
http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=RELIGION-FAITH-06-07-06
There was also an opinion piece in the Saturday AJC on this issue. Here’s the skinny. A pair of pastors in Albany, GA made a movie about a burned-out football coach who finds God and sees his team’s season turn around. It’s overtly Christian and contains some “alleged” evangelism. The MPAA determined that it was too “heavy handed” in the proselytizing department for a “G” rating so they bumped it up to “PG”.
This caused a firestorm of “shock and awe” from the movie’s producers and Donald Wildmon of the American Family Association. They are outraged that the gospel is considered something that parents should protect their children against.
My response? Duh!!!!! What do you expect? We live in a post-Christian America. This is exactly what we should expect. Now here’s the real question. Is Wildmon just spouting hystrionics for nothing? Or does he have a legitimate point (i.e. the gospel is an adult theme just as violence and sexuality are)? Or is he a genius having tapped into a PR goldmine–the controversy has thrust this low-budget film into the national spotlight?
I say it’s a good thing for several reasons. First, what does PG really mean anymore, anyway? I don’t think any parents say “no” to a PG film just because it’s PG–no matter the age of their kids. A PG rating will not affect the number of people who see the movie, except perhaps increasing it. Second, at least the MPAA is indirectly acknowledging the severity of the gospel. It’s bad news and good news–and to me, it’s somewhat encouraging to see that they recognize it as something not to be taken lightly. It’s not like rating the gospel PG somehow restricts children from hearing it. Much of the Bible is more on the R-rated end of the spectrum, anyway. Finally, as you suggested, Ken, I think it’s going to help the movie more than it could possibly hurt. I had never heard of it–how many more will hear and want to see what the big deal is?
I don’t know about the film, but when it comes to choosing a religious worldview, I’d say “parental guidance is suggested.”
Being rated PG for thematic elements is not uncommon. I think they made a good call in that it’s probably not going to entertain (that’s for you KEV) your 4 year old. It’s hype.
If the account of how the Gospel is shared in the movie is accurate, the big scare for Hollywood is the portrayal of Christians as normal looking and sounding people, not hypercritical freaks. Maybe that is the part requiring parental guidance.
Either way, it’s a nice way to get some free press for an independent film. Given all the attention, I hope it is edifying to the church and moves beyond keeping one’s attention for an hour and a half.
This is my limited return to the blog-a-verse as well. Very limited as mucho brain power is usually needed just to keep up here.
I agree with Jeffrey and David. A G Rating almost implies a children’s movie which this obviously is not.
Sounds like an interesting movie but unfortunately most of the movies that the Christian community comes out with include bad acting, and a hokey bad plot. Little caring about quality as long as the message gets out.
Hopefully this movie will be closer in quality to the Left Behind movies and less like the old Distant Thunder/Rapture series of old movies that some of you fondly remember I am sure. Simply embarrassing! 😉
I have no issues with a PG rating. Like everything the parents must decide and is the way it should be. I rarely have issues with a PG-13 for myself, wife, and 16 year old as long as I know about the movie in advance. The new Adam Sandler Movie “Click” is a good example as the three of us saw that last weekend and enjoyed it. Funny with a great moral, but some definite off color situations and language. I would compare it to “Liar Liar” with Jim Carrey.
Along this same line Dan’s message Sunday made me re-evaluate the stance I take with my family on television and movies. (Silly, useless, talk) I probably allow us to see some movies and TV shows that I should not be. Still struggling with that a bit. I like good humor, but some of it is the slightly off color type. With that said, we should never take a legalistic or judgmental approach to this kind of thing with others. I have joy in the freedom make my own decisions for me and my family based on our own convictions. Right now some of those convictions on this subject might be considered a bit off center for some of you….maybe, but I bet deep down, many of you feel the same.
The Passion of the Christ was rated R. Big deal.
I think the free pub is awesome.