Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution", Which Version? (1 Viewer)

[Bob clamer]

I've been toying with picking up Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" but not sure which version to get. The NC-17 or the R-Rated version. Some help please?

Thanks!

 

[SD_Brian]

The NC-17 version is the director-approved version that was released theatrically. The R version is the cut-down, bastardized edition created so that Blockbuster Video would stock it. If you're going to buy it, buy the real version.

 

[TravisR]

I doubt you're going to find anyone here that says "Get the R rated one".

As far as I'm concerned, there shouldn't even be an R rated version of an NC-17 movie. If someone is offended by the content of the NC-17 version of any movie, I can't imagine that the R rated is going to be a movie that they enjoy.

 

[Bob clamer]

Thanks guys. Just what I needed to hear.

 

[SD_Brian]

No problem.

Now if someone could just explain why Blockbuster continues to ban NC-17 movies while they readily stock unrated versions of movies that were theatrically R-rated (despite the fact that the unrated footage often had to be cut in order to avoid an NC-17 rating). So, in effect, they'll rent out NC-17 movies as long as they're not actually rated NC-17. It's zany double standards like that that have made the ratings system completely irrelevent.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

I agree with you for the most part. However, some "unrated" versions are simply unrated because the revised edits were not resubmitted to the MPAA (the unrated extended cut of Underworld comes to mind).

 

[SD_Brian]

Hence my inclusion of the word "often."

 

[PaulDA]

I boycott Blockbuster specifically because of their asinine policy regarding NC-17 films. I remember when the rating first came out and while I'm not a fan of ratings as restrictions in general (I believe parents should decide what a child sees, not some arbitary bureaucracy--but that's for another debate), at least this rating would, if implemented properly, actually have its intended effect--restricting access to certain films from children altogether while avoiding the stigma of an X rating (first applied, IIRC, to Midnight Cowboy) that, originally, had the same purpose. But no...the people who run Blockbuster decided they could not only censor what was available for children but what was available for adults (outside the porn industry). That completely gutted NC-17 and its purpose. Well, thanks, but no thanks. I'll decide what I want to watch. So Blockbuster has not made a penny from me since they implemented this policy.

rant over

I've not seen this film, but I'm a fan of Ang Lee and I would go with the version he endorses.

 

[Jon Martin]

But do they still ban them? I thought that it was up to individual stores? My local BB has closed, so I haven't been in one in years, but the last time I went, I thought they had started to carry unrated films (which they also once refused to carry).

Just like they once refused to carry LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, that film was on shelves by the late 90's.

There are so few NC-17 rated films that it isn't an issue.

 

[SD_Brian]

AFAIK the NC-17 ban is still in effect but, when I have been in their store, I HAVE seen unrated versions of pretty much everything. The reason you see so few NC-17 movies is because it's a commercial kiss-of-death to release a movie that way. Most movies that would qualify for an NC-17 are now being released as Unrated. I believe it IS up to the local stores to arbitrarily pick and choose which unrated movies they will stock and which they will only carry the R or PG-13 version. What it all boils down to is that filmmakers who play by the rules and actually DO submit their movies to the ratings board and accept the NC-17 verdict get the shaft and have to prepare an R-Rated cut for Blockbuster.

Actually, it's unfair to single out Blockbuster since Wal-Mart, Target and Hollywood Video have the same asinine policies.

The real head-scratcher is that, as long as the unrated version only includes more gore and violence, it seems to be okay. If the unrated version is more sexually explicit, that's a no-no.

 

[PaulDA]

Blockbuster was the first to ban NC-17 (and I don't shop at the others either). NC-17 was to allow people to see the "unrated" versions AT THE CINEMA. They can't, because of Blockbuster and the others who jumped on board. The bolded part of your post is what burns me the most about the policy.

Here in Quebec, we have ratings as well (age, rather than letters, except G--G, 13+, 16+, 18+). Films with higher violence, with or without sexual content, often get a 16 or even 18 ratings. Films with nudity that automatically get an R in the US, if not accompanied by explicit sex and/or violence, get a 13. I know I'd rather my 13 year old accidently see a bare breast than watch someone's head explode in slow motion, but maybe that's just me.

 

[Jeff_HR]

I read a brief blurb that there were no extras on this release. I'll more than likely buy it NC-17 (I don't believe in censorship) but I'll wait and see about a S.E. release. Hopefully the Blu-Ray edition will have extras.

 

[JohnRice]

I'm not defending BlockBuster, but do you also boycot the 99.9% of theaters who also refuse to show NC-17 movies? It's an industry wide hypocrisy.

 

[Mike Frezon]

As an aside, I happened to be in a local Wal-Mart tonight and, surprise, they only carried the R-rated version of Lust, Caution.

 

[JohnRice]

You surprised Mike? Of course, I recall Wal-Mart selling the uncut Last House on the Left. There's logic for ya.

 

[Craig Beam]

This arrived in today's mail from Netflix.... and happily, it's the NC-17 version.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Nope. Just forgot to use my sarcasm smilie!

 

[PaulDA]

There are NO such theatres where I live. Our ratings system, as I outlined above, is quite different and every NC-17 film of which I am aware that earned that rating owing to nudity/sex is either rated 13 (if it is nudity without explicit sex) or 16 (if there is explicit sex but not overly gory violence--that usually earns an 18). In any event, which ever rating it gets here, no cinema refuses to screen a film owing to its rating in Quebec (there are porn specialty theatres--like any big city--but they are almost all gone; and porn is not part of the discussion as NC-17 was explicitly created to reclaim the initial NON-porn purpose of an X rating).

 

[Jon Martin]

The problem with the NC-17 rating is that it hasn't been tested, studios have never really used it. So, to blame Blockbuster or anyone else is kind of pointless.

Look at SHOWGIRLS, the only mainstream film that was ever given the rating. It was a terrible film, yet it played in multiplexes. Today you can find it for sale in your local Circuit City and Best Buy. CC had a big display standee when the special box set was released.

Wal Mart may not carry it, but do they carry anything outside of the top 50 DVDs? Have you ever found a Criterion film there? Same with Blockbuster. In the age of Amazon and Netflix, does anyone really rely on them for all of their films anyway?

I watched LUST, CAUTION last night (the NC-17 version from Netflix). Would your average Wal Mart or Blockbuster fan be interested in buying or renting it? No. It is a specialty film. They wouldn't sell many copies.

Blame Paul Verhoeven for screwing up the only chance the rating had, not the video stores.

 

[Brett_M]

I think Showgirls is the best comedy film in the last 20 years.

Also, I think Blockbuster sucks, too. They get the suckers who care only about new releases. Serious film fans go where they can get everything: domestic, foreign, documentaries, Criterion, TV and cable. Netflix is the best source for all of the above and more. Not to get too far off-track, but if they start a "download from a set-top box" in HD, they will give BluRay a serious run for their money, literally.