Illuminating documentary on the mysterious way in which the American ratings system operates, favouring studios against independent filmmakers and suppressing sexual content rather than violence. It's shocking to discover that all films in America are rated by 'normal' parents with no professional qualifications, although they are not appointed according to the rules the MPAA have set out themselves. The appeals process also appears to be biased and the film argues that the First Amendment is under threat by this secret organisation led by the self-grandising Jack Valenti for almost 40 years.
With both interviews with filmmakers who have suffered at the hands of the MPAA, and an amusing side-plot featuring a private detective attempting to uncover the identities of the raters, the film succeeds in being both entertaining and revealing, although it unfortunately probably won't change much for the average, independent, art film director.
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