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The film Elvis (2022), directed by Baz Luhrmann, was rated PG-13 by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).
The rating was assigned primarily due to the following elements:
The film depicts Elvis Presley's historical dependence on prescription medications. As the story progresses into the 1970s and his Las Vegas residency, there are multiple scenes showing Elvis taking "pep pills" (amphetamines) to perform and sedatives to sleep. The film portrays the physical toll these drugs take on him, including scenes of him appearing dazed, sweating profusely, or needing medical intervention to get on stage.
A significant portion of the film focuses on the "scandalous" nature of Elvis's early performances. The cinematography emphasizes his hip movements and pelvic thrusts, as well as the intense, often frenzied sexual reactions from the young women in the audience. There is a specific subplot regarding the "New Elvis," where authorities threaten to arrest him for his suggestive dancing, which the film treats as a form of provocative, rebellious expression.
The film contains "strong language" appropriate for a PG-13 rating. This includes several uses of profanity (such as "shit" and "hell"). While the film avoids the frequent use of the "F-word" that would typically trigger an R rating, the dialogue is gritty and reflects the high-tension environment of Elvis's career and his volatile relationship with Colonel Tom Parker.
Consistent with the historical setting of the 1950s through the 1970s, the film features heavy tobacco use. Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks) is almost constantly seen with a cigar, and many other characters, including Elvis himself, are shown smoking cigarettes throughout the movie.
The film deals with heavy themes that contribute to the PG-13 rating, including:
* The toxic and exploitative relationship between Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
The AI Summary mentions 'suggestive material' but does not explicitly note that the film contains several implied sex scenes (woman in lingerie in bed with Elvis) and discussions of infidelity, which are part of the 'suggestive material' rating.
While the AI Summary mentions 'strong language,' it doesn't specify the significant use of religious profanities. Kids-In-Mind documents 13 uses of 'GD' (goddamn), which is notable.
The AI Summary focuses on Elvis's drug use but omits that substance abuse in the rating also includes Gladys's alcoholism, which is explicitly shown (vodka bottles, beer) and discussed as contributing to her death.
The AI Summary does not mention any violence-related content. Multiple sources note Elvis wielding guns, shooting at TV sets, concert riots with police using batons, and medical emergencies/collapses.
While the AI Summary mentions 'racial tensions,' it doesn't note that the film includes period-appropriate racial slurs and terms (documented by Kids-In-Mind as '5 derogatory terms for African-American people' plus terms like 'animalistic' and 'voodoo devil music' used to describe Elvis's Black-influenced style).
The film 'Elvis' (2022), directed by Baz Luhrmann, was rated PG-13 by the MPAA. The official MPAA rating explanation states the rating was assigned for 'substance abuse, strong language, suggestive material and smoking.'
Substance Abuse: The film depicts Elvis Presley's prescription drug dependence, showing him taking pills (amphetamines to perform, sedatives to sleep), receiving IV morphine, and being enabled by a doctor. The film also portrays Gladys Presley's alcoholism through scenes of her drinking vodka and beer, which contributed to her death.
Strong Language: The film contains 3 scatological terms (including 'shit'), 3 anatomical terms, 9 mild obscenities, 13 religious profanities (specifically 'goddamn'), and ONE use of the F-word. It also includes period-appropriate derogatory racial terms.
Suggestive Material: The film extensively shows Elvis's controversial hip gyrations and pelvic thrusts during performances, crowds of women swooning and throwing underwear, several implied sex scenes, women in lingerie in bed, discussions of infidelity, and passionate kissing. Authorities in the film threaten to arrest Elvis for his suggestive dancing.
Smoking: Colonel Tom Parker is shown almost constantly with a cigar, many supporting characters (including Vernon Presley) smoke cigarettes frequently, and Elvis himself smokes cigarillos twice near the end of the film.
Additional Content: The film also contains violence (Elvis wielding guns, shooting at TV sets, concert riots with police violence), references to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, depictions of racial tensions and segregation, the toxic Parker-Elvis relationship, and Elvis's marriage breakdown and physical/mental decline. The film has a runtime of 159 minutes (2 hours 39 minutes).