A Serious Question...

DazMarz

This debate sprang up amongst me and my friends as we talked about movies, so I said I'd bring it to the floor here too, to get some consensus.

So here's the big question:

-Do you think sex scenes or "scenes of a sexual nature" are necessary in films? Do you think that some films warrant the use of such scenes? Or are sex scenes merely used, no matter what the film, simply to make it more controversial and to literally 'sex it up'?

I'm of the opinion that some films do warrant them, as they can be essential plot-driving elements. But some films insert sex scenes "just because" and to make the film a tad more controversial.

What's the views from anyone else?

Eirebear

I think sometimes theyre just shoved in there for the sake of it, see many 80's and 90's thrillers for this fact.
However it often shows a bond between characters, or gives us other insights into their relationships that dialogue in its normal sense doesnt.

One of the best scenes for this is the sex scene in Dont Look Now, which shows a real tenderness between the two main characters, which isnt obvious in the rest of the film (at least up untill that point) given the stresses of trying to cope having lost their chil tragically.

johnny_ultimate

Hollywood definitely addresses sex scenes the wrong way. There is a certain train of thought that says that if an actress wants to be taken seriously, star in a sex scene (see: Meg Ryan, Halle Berry). To star in a film just for the sexual content is ludicrous, as you both say sex scenes should only exist if there is a reason for them in a narrative sense. I also hate the way some films try to deal with sex, but still throw in L-shaped sheets just for a lower age ranking or something. Its a bit distracting and unnatural (who the hell sleeps like that in any situation?). I also hate the whole 'erotic thriller' subgenre, which seems to think they are suddenly mature for having a bit of sex in them (turns out the vast majority are rather ****).

But cinema has to deal with sex - it is a vital and important part of life and relationships, if not the most important! Plenty of films handle the subject well - stuff like Shortbus can actually critique sexual activity in an intelligent, playful way. Y Tu Mama Tambien is probably one of the greatest films of last decade, and its frank, realistic depiction of sex is what lends the film its edge. And yet other films have to be admired for their refusal to discuss sex. Many of the most romantic films of all time have no sex at all, and many talented directors completely fail at their attempts to add sexuality into their movies (case in point: Woody Allen, who should never ever film a sex scene if there isn't a witty one-liner in there).

Clip below is one of my favourite film scenes of all time from Persona. Muted visuals, entirely dialogue driven, but it is just hypnotic, and an example of how film can discuss sexuality without necessarily throwing in cheesy sex scenes (subtitles are probably not entirely safe for work).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl0pyFWeLXA

foxyboxer

An interesting question.
When there is sexual tension between character's, a sex-scene is plot driven. It's a payoff for the audience.

Classic example, is Atonement.

Nothing smutty about it, just the 2 main characters realising their attraction and "making love". It is central to the plot and a pivotal scene for what comes afterwards.

The most blatant insertion of a sex scene for me was 'The Specialist', completely un-erotic and irrelevant to the (snigger)...Plot. Also, though not a sex scene, Halle Berry got half a million dollars for a topless scene in Swordfish, nothing to do with the story but it certainly became a selling point. Imagine the press interviews "Yeah I get my boobs out in this one!". Cue 13 year old boys queueing round the block.

But essentially, audiences know when they're being hoodwinked with irrelevant sex scenes.

TonyD79

If the film is an adaption of a book it would be wrong to remove the sex scene ie in Trainspotting when they put on the porno tape during sex only to see its a scotland world cup footie match.