Is Movie Language Finally Getting More Civilized?

Language has been steadily deteriorating in movies since the introduction of the MPAA ratings system replaced the Hayes Code in 1968.  It used to be no f-words in a PG-13, then one was okay, and now two, as  long as they do not refer to sex.  As I have said before, you’d need a degree in semiotics to parse that one.  And movies like the “Austin Powers” series get away with using  a sound-alike, “frickin.” Studios have been known to add one or two strong words just to avoid the PG rating because they think tweens and teenagers won’t see PG films.

Now a Harris poll suggests that movies may start moving away from four-letter words.

The Hollywood Reporter writes:

Using “Jesus Christ” to swear is the biggest offense, with 33 percent of the general public saying they’d be less likely to see a movie if they knew beforehand of that particular piece of dialogue. “Goddam” was second at 32 percent and “f***” was third with 31 percent.

Some of the awards seasons biggest films have no strong language.  If they are successful at the box office, we may see this become a trend.