January 5, 2009--Parents Guide For “Rachel Getting Married”

Here’s what parents need not be guided about when thinking about taking their children to see this powerful film about a dysfunctional family struggling to deal with a tragedy that clouds its past and affects its present. Issues that arrive front and center during the days leading up to Rachel’s wedding which are triggered by the arrival, after nine months in rehab, of her sister Kym who, through those days, pushes everyone to confront the truth of their collective past.

As with all movies, “Rachel” needed to be submitted to the ratings folks at the Motion Picture Association of America; and, in addition to its R rating, by them, was summarized in obsessive detail, offensive category by offensive category, so parents would know in advance what their children would be in for.

Here in the MPAA’s unique, virtually illiterate, and reductionist style is what they found in the film—a very different film than any of the rest of us experienced:

Sex & Nudity

There is one very brief sex scene between Kym and the best man. It takes place in a dark room in silhouette form, with no visible nudity, and only lasts for several seconds. There is a reference to pedophilia, although it is proved to be false. Kym takes a bath, though most of her breasts remained covered. Skimpy dancers wear nothing more than bikini-type outfits, while suggestively dancing.

Violence & Gore

Kym and her mother briefly exchange blows, but we are only able to make out a small trickle of blood from Kym's nose. Shortly after that, Kym drives off the road and rams her car against a rock, receiving a bruised and swollen eye from the collision.

Profanity

Some salty language, most of them being f-words. The s-word is used a couple times, along with the a-word and the d-word. The f-word, however, is used about fifteen times, mostly used during verbal fights with family members.

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking

Kym is constantly smoking on a cigarette. She also attends "12-Step" meetings for rehab, and we hear about her drug addiction history. There is constant talk of her previous drug and alcohol addiction, though it is noted that she has been sober for 9 months. Many wedding guests also drink wine both at the rehearsal dinner and at the reception.

Frightening/Intense Scenes

Many verbal fights (and in one scene, physical) with family members, which could disturb younger viewers. There is much screaming, yelling and slamming doors.

What have we come to that we need to hire people to watch movies so they can count the number of times the “f-word” is used (was it actually only 15?); how loudly a door might be slammed; or if, while Anne Hathaway is taking a bath, one of her nipples slips into view?

A more appropriate warning to parents might be to watch this film in order to learn that they should love their children unconditionally, especially when tragedy strikes. Concern about “salty language” will take care of itself.