The Program

  
 

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ASSIGNED NUMBERS

Unlike the MPAA we do not assign one inscrutable rating based on age, but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY, VIOLENCE/GORE and PROFANITY on a scale of 0 to 10, from lowest to highest, depending on quantity and context.

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Sex & Nudity
Violence & Gore
Profanity
1 to 10

MPAA Rating: R

James Caan, Omar Epps and Halle Berry star in "The Program," about a year in the life of a college football program.

SEX/NUDITY 3 - There is some heavy kissing. There is also an attempted rape scene. We see a player's bare posterior as he injects himself with steroids.

VIOLENCE/GORE 5 - There are a few fist fights, but no blood is drawn. Lots of smashing and bashing on the football field and one character's leg is badly injured and we see blood. One player becomes aggressive after abusing steroids, and throws a girl around in an attempt to rape her (but he's stopped). The coach has a volatile temper and does a lot of breaking, overturning tables, etc.

PROFANITY 5 - There are several F-words, and a handful of scatological terms. [profanity glossary]

DISCUSSION TOPICS - Drug abuse (steroids), alcohol abuse, cheating, greed. Passing athletes who cannot do academic work by "helping" them with easy courses and tutors who do the work for them.

MESSAGE - Some athletes win scholarships and are kept at schools despite their inability to do college level work.

Special Keywords: S3 - V5 - P5 - MPAAR

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