Weinsteins Defend Blue Valentine From MPAA: 'Our Appeal is Reasonable'

Weinstein Company president and resident ratings genius Harvey Weinstein issued a statement this morning announcing his intention to appeal Blue Valentine's recent NC-17 rating, the latest step in what appears to be a marathon of controversy that he's hoping will lead to a finish line on Oscar night. One thing's not clear, however.

To wit: If the Weinsteins' appeal fails, will they stand by the film, NC-17 and all? Reps for TWC haven't returned Movieline's call requesting further comment, but it sure does sound like this is the cut they're going with in any case:

"We want to express our deepest gratitude to our colleagues in the industry and in the media for their recent outpouring of support for Derek Cianfrance's Blue Valentine after the film surprisingly received an NC-17 rating from the MPAA. We are taking every possible step to contest the MPAA's decision. We respect the work of the MPAA and we hope, after having a chance to sit down with them, they will see that our appeal is reasonable, and the film, which is an honest and personal portrait of a relationship, would be significantly harmed by such a rating."

Indeed, BV sure has suffered since the rating news; that "outpouring of support" is really killing it. Anyway, developing...