Brooke Martin
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles has been the subject of scrutiny for its PG rating, with many viewers questioning how it received this rating. The film, written and directed by John Hughes, centres on teenage life and has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of adolescent slang and the humiliations of teen life. However, it has also been criticised for its treatment of women and Asian people, with male characters talking about women's bodies and the inclusion of a racist portrayal of a Chinese exchange student. The film's rating has been attributed to the absence of a PG-13 rating at the time of its release, as well as the different rating standards of the 1980s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of release | May 4, 1984 |
| Director | John Hughes |
| Reasons for PG rating | No PG-13 rating at the time of release; content not extreme enough for R rating |
| Inappropriate content | Sexual assault, nudity, drinking, racial stereotyping, sexism, sexual innuendos, swearing |
| Modern rating | Rated R |
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What You'll Learn
- Sixteen Candles was released in May 1984, before the PG-13 rating existed
- The film contains sexual content, including a nude scene, and references to sexual assault
- It features problematic racial stereotypes, including the racist portrayal of a Chinese exchange student
- Characters are shown drinking heavily and to the point of passing out
- The film was initially rated R by the MPAA, but this was successfully appealed by John Hughes
Sixteen Candles was released in May 1984, before the PG-13 rating existed
The 1984 American coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles has been criticised for its explicit content, including sexual material, racial stereotyping, and nudity. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) initially gave the film an R rating, but director John Hughes successfully lobbied for it to be released with a PG rating. However, the PG-13 rating did not exist at the time of its release in May 1984; it was introduced two months later, in July 1984.
Sixteen Candles centres on the life of a teenager, Samantha Baker, who is dealing with a crush on a senior in high school while also being pursued by a freshman. The film explores themes of adolescence, including insecurity about one's body, first crushes, and family dynamics. While it has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of adolescent slang and the relatable nature of its content, it has also been criticised for its treatment of women and Asian people, particularly the racist portrayal of a Chinese exchange student, Long Duk Dong.
The film's rating has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it should not have received a PG rating due to its explicit content. The MPAA's decision to rate the film PG rather than R was likely influenced by the absence of the PG-13 rating at the time. The content in Sixteen Candles was not deemed extreme enough for an R rating, and without the PG-13 option, a PG rating was assigned. This highlights the evolving nature of rating systems and how standards have shifted over time.
The explicit content in Sixteen Candles, including sexual themes, racial stereotyping, and nudity, has led to discussions about the appropriateness of its PG rating. The film's rating is a reflection of the different standards and criteria used in the past. The introduction of the PG-13 rating in July 1984, just two months after the release of Sixteen Candles, demonstrates the evolving nature of film ratings and the increasing recognition of the need for more nuanced ratings between PG and R.
In conclusion, the PG rating of Sixteen Candles can be attributed to the absence of the PG-13 rating at the time of its release in May 1984. The film's explicit content and themes would likely have resulted in a different rating if evaluated under the modern rating system. The controversy surrounding Sixteen Candles' rating highlights the evolving nature of film ratings and the ongoing efforts to ensure that ratings accurately reflect the content and its appropriateness for different audiences.
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The film contains sexual content, including a nude scene, and references to sexual assault
The rating system has changed significantly since the 1980s, when Sixteen Candles was released. The film's sexual content, including a nude scene, and references to sexual assault, would likely result in a higher rating if the film were released today.
Sixteen Candles includes a scene in which a high school student is shown fully nude in the shower. The film also contains sexual references and innuendos, such as conversations about sex and virginity, and vulgar terms for breasts. In one scene, a boy bets that he can have sex with a girl, and she gives him her panties as proof, which he then shows to his friends. There are also references to sexual assault, as a character implies that he can take advantage of his girlfriend while she is drunk and passed out. Additionally, there are scenes in which men and boys crudely talk about women's bodies and arrange the sexual assault of a popular girl.
The film's treatment of women and their bodies has been criticised as cringeworthy and problematic. The sexual content and references to sexual assault in Sixteen Candles contribute to a broader pattern of misogynistic behaviour and attitudes towards women in media and popular culture. The film's lighthearted portrayal of sexual assault and objectification of women reinforces harmful societal norms and can influence viewers' perceptions and behaviours.
While the film received a PG rating at the time of its release, it is important to recognise that standards and sensitivities have evolved. Today, the film's sexual content and references to sexual assault would likely be considered inappropriate for younger audiences. The impact of such content on impressionable viewers underscores the need for more stringent ratings and content warnings to ensure that consumers, particularly parents, can make informed decisions about the media they engage with and expose their children to.
In conclusion, despite receiving a PG rating in the 1980s, Sixteen Candles contains sexual content, including a nude scene, and references to sexual assault that contribute to a broader pattern of misogyny. The film's rating highlights the evolution of societal norms and the need for more cautious approaches to content ratings to protect younger audiences from inappropriate material.
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It features problematic racial stereotypes, including the racist portrayal of a Chinese exchange student
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles has been criticised for its portrayal of racial stereotypes, particularly in its racist depiction of a Chinese exchange student. The character, Long Duk Dong, played by Gedde Watanabe, is the only non-white character in the film and has been called an "offensive stereotype of Asian people".
Long Duk Dong is an awkward, nerdy Chinese exchange student who speaks in broken English and attempts to use American catchphrases. He is mystified by American food and calls himself "The Donger". The character is accompanied by a gong sound every time he enters a scene, and people refer to him as a "Chinaman," call him dirty and weird, and make fun of his English.
The portrayal of Long Duk Dong has been criticised for perpetuating racist stereotypes of Asian people, with some calling it a "stain" on Hollywood's history of representing Asian characters. However, others, including Watanabe himself, have argued that the character also defied stereotypes by getting the girl and being a party animal. Watanabe has reflected on the role in recent years, acknowledging that the word "Chinaman" was not great but suggesting that people's sensitivities around racial issues have changed since the film was made.
The film's writer and director, John Hughes, has also been criticised for his portrayal of women and Asian people in the film, with some arguing that it is painfully dated by its racial stereotypes. Hughes' teen characters have been described as "white, suburban, and normatively middle-class," with non-white characters appearing as "crass caricatures."
In summary, Sixteen Candles has been criticised for its portrayal of the Chinese exchange student, Long Duk Dong, with some calling the character a racist and offensive stereotype of Asian people. While Watanabe and some critics have defended the role, arguing that it also defied stereotypes, others argue that it perpetuated harmful and offensive ideas about Asian people.
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Characters are shown drinking heavily and to the point of passing out
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles, written and directed by John Hughes, is a comedy about a teenager whose family forgets her sixteenth birthday. The film stars Molly Ringwald as Samantha Baker, a high school sophomore with a crush on senior Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling). The film was initially rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) but was ultimately released with a PG rating.
The film contains several scenes of heavy drinking and drunkenness. In one scene, a group of large football players make a pyramid of beer cans, implying they drank all the beer. In another scene, a drunk partygoer drops a large barbell through the floor of a house into the basement. The film also depicts characters drinking to the point of passing out. This is shown through hungover characters questioning whether they had sex with someone while they were drunk and unable to consent.
The rating systems for films have changed since the release of Sixteen Candles. At the time, the PG-13 rating did not exist, and the MPAA likely felt that the content of the film was not extreme enough for an R rating. Today, the film would likely receive a higher rating due to its sexual content, racial stereotyping, and mature themes. The casual use of offensive stereotypes, sexual assault, and explicit sexual material would be considered inappropriate for children by modern standards.
The treatment of female characters in the film has been criticised, with male characters talking about women's bodies and arranging the sexual assault of a popular girl. The film also includes a scene where a guy implies that he can sexually assault his drunk girlfriend, although nothing happens. The sexual content and objectification of women in the film would likely contribute to a higher rating if it were released today.
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The film was initially rated R by the MPAA, but this was successfully appealed by John Hughes
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) initially gave Sixteen Candles an R rating. However, John Hughes successfully lobbied for a PG rating, and the film was released in May 1984 with this lower certification.
The MPAA's decision to rate the film PG has been attributed to the fact that the PG-13 rating did not exist at the time of its release. The MPAA may have felt that the film's content was not extreme enough to warrant an R rating. If the movie had been released just a few months later, after the introduction of the PG-13 rating, it may have received this certification instead.
Sixteen Candles includes several elements that, by today's standards, would likely result in a higher rating. The film contains sexual references and innuendos, including a nude scene of a high schooler in the shower, and a plotline involving the sexual assault of a popular girl. The film also includes casual and problematic gender and racial stereotypes, including the racist portrayal of a Chinese exchange student, the only non-white character in the movie.
In addition to the explicit content, the treatment of women and Asian people in the film has been criticised as "cringeworthy". The main characters are all white, except for the Chinese exchange student, Long Duk Dong, who is depicted with offensive stereotypes. People refer to him as a "Chinaman," call him dirty and weird, and a gong sounds every time he appears on screen.
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Frequently asked questions
Sixteen Candles was given a PG rating because there was no PG-13 rating at the time of its release. The MPAA likely felt that the content in it wasn't extreme enough for an R rating.
The film includes swearing, sexual content, and a full-on nude scene of a high schooler in the shower. It also includes insensitive racial stereotyping of the only non-white character, Long Duk Dong.
Jaws and Poltergeist are two examples of films that were originally rated PG but contain violent and frightening scenes that are unsuitable for young viewers.
PG stands for Parental Guidance. Originally, it simply meant that parental guidance was suggested for young viewers, while R-rated films included mature content. Today, the boundaries of what is considered family-friendly entertainment have shifted, and many movies that once received a PG rating would now receive a higher rating.
