The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is officially Not Rated by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), formerly known as the MPAA. This designation means that the film was not submitted to the MPA for a content rating.
Understanding "Not Rated" Films
When a film is labeled "Not Rated" (often abbreviated as NR), it signifies that it has not gone through the voluntary content classification process administered by the Motion Picture Association's Classification and Rating Administration (CARA). This differs from an unrated film, which might be a director's cut or extended version of a film that was previously rated.
Several reasons explain why a film might be "Not Rated":
- Independent Productions: Many independent filmmakers choose not to submit their movies for rating to save on the submission fees, which can be substantial.
- Foreign Films: Films produced outside the United States, especially those released primarily in their home countries or through limited distribution, often do not seek an MPA rating for the U.S. market.
- Direct-to-Streaming or Home Video Releases: Movies released directly to streaming platforms, DVD, or Blu-ray may bypass the theatrical rating process if they are not intended for widespread cinema distribution.
- Creative Control: Some filmmakers or distributors prefer to avoid a rating to maintain complete creative control over the final cut, rather than making edits to achieve a specific rating.
It's important to understand that "Not Rated" does not inherently mean a film is unsuitable for certain audiences or contains extreme content. Instead, it simply indicates the absence of an official MPA rating. Viewers interested in the film's content should refer to plot summaries, reviews, or parental guides from other sources to determine its suitability.
The MPA Film Rating System
The Motion Picture Association's rating system provides parents with advance information about the content of films to help them make viewing choices for their children. While The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society does not carry one of these, it's helpful to understand the common ratings:
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| G | General Audiences – All ages admitted. |
| PG | Parental Guidance Suggested – Some material may not be suitable for children. |
| PG-13 | Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers. |
| R | Restricted – Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. |
| NC-17 | No Children Under 17 Admitted – Clearly adult. |
For more detailed information on film ratings, you can visit the official Motion Picture Association website.
