Although it looked like Blue Valentine, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, would have to find a home in theaters with an NC-17 rating – the film has now been stamped with the letter "R."

The movie about a couple and their failing relationship was initially given the more adult rating by the MPAA because of what the group deemed “explicit sexual content.” The Weinstein Co. – arguing that this film was no more excessive than other R-rated entries – vowed to appeal the decision.

“If [Piranha 3D] got an NC-17, I’d be the first going, ‘All right, we gotta cut some of that stuff,’” Harvey Weinstein said. “It’s ridiculous -- a penis got coughed up in the movie by a piranha!" (NOTE: That film was rated R.) "They don't give [NC-17's] for violence, they give them for sexuality," Gosling added to E! back in November.

Despite admitting that the rating felt “like such a slap on the hand, like you've been a bad kid or something," Williams said she would have rather kept the label than have the film edited down. "I'm happy for it to stay just like it is. Genuinely, I am," Michelle told EW. "Movies get to have long lives and it'll be judged and rejudged in 10 or 20 or 30 years, and I'll be curious to see how it stands."

Fortunately for those involved, their film finally earned the R-rating with absolutely no trimming.

What to know what the fuss was all about? Find out when Blue Valentine opens on December 31.