Don’t Mess with Harvey Weinstein…or Judi Dench

Judi Dench has been basking in the glow of some fresh Oscar buzz on account of her already acclaimed performance in the upcoming Steve Coogan-co-written-and co-starring festival fave Philomena.

Based on a true story, the Stephen Frears-directed film tells the tale of an Irish woman who, together with a journalist, went searching for the son she was forced to put up for adoption 50 years earlier.

The problem with it is the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) wants the film to come out rated R (because two “f---”s are uttered in the thing, instead of the one that would allow it to qualify for a PG-13 rating).

Why the MPAA decided to not bow to the mighty will of Harvey Weinstein, who is releasing Philomena through his Weinstein Company, is beyond me, for the movie exec o.k.a. God always goes to the mattresses (pardon the inelegant, yet cinematic ref, Harv!) for his projects. This time is no different.

Weinstein has gone ahead and recruited his biggest gun in this fight to lead his FunnyOrDie.com-style appeal on behalf of his awards horse to the MPAA: Dench herself. For the video, the actress channeled her 007 character M to assign 002 (in this case, Coogan) to go and put pressure on the MPAA to change its rating of the film, so wider audience can discover it and enjoy it this season. Or else.

Check it:

M.essage to the M.PAA with Judi Dench and Steve Coogan from Steve Coogan      

Philomena is due out on Nov. 27.

Update: Boom! It worked.

On Nov. 13, the MPAA awarded Philomena a PG-13.

Now…can we get Judi Dench to host SNL this season, please?