It's complicated, but 'It's Complicated' will be released with an R rating

When it comes to the MPAA, Universal is finding that things aren't simple.

The group's Classification and Ratings Appeals Board on Wednesday denied the studio's appeal of an R rating for its new Nancy Meyers romantic comedy "It's Complicated," throwing a potential marketing hurdle in the film's path.

The MPAA's ruling cited "some drug content and sexuality" for the film about a love triangle among upper-middle-class suburbanites. Those familiar with the board hearing said the inclusion of a scene featuring "pot-smoking with no bad consequences" was key to the decision.

The comedy, set to be released Christmas Day, features a comic scene in which characters played by Steve Martin and Meryl Streep smoke pot for the first time in several decades. The studio has decided not to cut the scene -- it is, incidentally, one of Martin's few showcase scenes -- and will release the film with an R rating.

Universal declined to comment.

The rating is unlikely to directly impact the demo expected to turn out for the movie. "It's Complicated" is aimed at an older female audience, and even teenagers who might see it are likely to go with someone older and not with packs of friends. It isn't "Twilight."

But the rating could signal to some filmgoers that the movie's content is mature, which could in turn deter them from seeing the film. (In some cases, particularly with films aimed at a younger male demo, an R rating can actually be used to a movie's marketing advantage, but this isn't one of them.)

The decision mattered enough to Universal to appeal the decision, with studio chief Adam Fogelson traveling to the board hearing on the West Coast and Martin conferenced in via webcam from New York, where the movie was set to hold a premiere Wednesday night.

The decision also lands in the cross hairs of a larger debate over marijuana, with authorities in California cracking down on marijuana growers and medical dispensaries.

Meyers' comedies, which usually include middle-aged female characters and tend to skew older, have never garnered an R before.

The fate of "It's Complicated" is key for Universal, which with just a few exceptions has endured a string of box-office disappointments this year. Meyers has the track record to offer executives hope of a breakout: Her last film, the Jack Nicholson-Diane Keaton romantic comedy "Something's Gotta Give," earned $228 million worldwide.

-- Steven Zeitchik

Photo: Meryl Streep and Steve Martin in "It's Complicated." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures.

Comments

[Timber]

Having seen it, I can't imagine anyone below-age for an R rating agreeing to watch this film except at gunpoint, and presume that the appeal is just a part of a concerted effort to get the R rating, to generate a little buzz if nothing else.

[John]

I guess they forgot about a little film called "9 to 5" which had the 3 stars getting high and discussing different ways to 'off the boss', and it only had a PG rating. They are like the people who run NASCAR, their only consistancy is their in-consistancy!

[Kate Hayes]

I have been very excited to see this new movie because it has some of my favorite actors and actresses. But now that it's been rated R I won't get to see it because I'm only 16. We were making a special effort to go see it Christmas day but now my parents won't allow it.

[NBC_Circling_the_ Drain]

If you're under 40, why would you wanna see this movie? And, I don't really get the NASCAR reference...

[Janyya]

I think it should be rated PG-13 because it really dosen't show any thing really bad to be rated R. They need to lighten up.

[James Sanford]

Hey, Steve, one quick correction: Nancy Meyers' last film was actually the 2006 Cameron Diaz/Kate Winslet cross-continental house-swapping comedy "The Holiday." According to Box Office Mojo, it earned $205,135,324 worldwide. R-rating or not, I'm betting "It's Complicated" tops that. I just came from a screening and the audience was head over heels for the picture.

[Shanoe]

Watched this at a studio in Houston last night. There were about 750 people falling out of their seats laughing. Incredible acting, amazingly written so that you actually feel as if you are one of those people, I believe a high percentage of us can relate and that makes it believable. One of the best movies I have ever watched, and its safe to say the Best Comedy I have watched in 3o years.