Do sex/naked scenes really add anything to film? (1 Viewer)

[FloydH]

I don't think nudity or sex scenes are necessary to film, whether they add anything is another matter. Billy Wilder, who knew a bit about filmmaking, said that explicit sex scenes detracted from film and the "old" way of portraying sex (by not portraying it: i.e.- the camera panning up into the trees, etc.) allowed each moviegoer to imagine what was happening and, therefore, not being disappointed or offended by what was actually shown. He has a good point. If you look at most lists of the "greatest" movies, they contain no nudity or sex scenes (because of the time in which they were made). Would nudity or sex have "added" anything to them? YMMV

 

[JeremyErwin]

What? A porn film? No thanks. I prefer plot.

 

[JeremyErwin]

Number 95.

 

[Jerry Almeida]

So's dropping a deuce or farting.

So according to you're logic it wouldn't be out of place to add a fart scene to Citizen Kane or have Moses go to the bathroom in The Ten Commandments?

I'm being a smart ass, but I think you understand my point. The fact that it's a profoundly human act doesn't answer the question of whether a nude or sex scene really adds to the film.

 

[Britton]

I guess it depends on the film, but I was watching "Enter the Dragon" on HD DVD and the nudity in that served no purpose other than having naked chicks in the movie.

 

[Rob Gardiner]

YiFeng,

David Cronenberg discussed this issue on the audio commentary to his film Crash (sadly, available only on the Criterion laserdisc). He says that most Hollywood films treat sex scenes in a very superficial manner. They are almost like an interlude -- the plot comes to a halt, the leads have a sex scene together, then we get back on with the movie. Crash opens with three consecutive sex scenes (plus several others throughout the film). His intention was to create sex scenes that are integral to character and plot, rather than a brief interruption to the film's character and plot development.

Some movies are about sex. I can't imagine Blue Velvet making any sense without Kyle MacLachlan spying on mommy and daddy from the closet.


Juan C,

I believe that was a George Carlin quote.

 

[JeremyErwin]

Wait, wait! Am I reading this correctly? You are seriously suggesting that someone add scenes to a film that's already been made? I think that's highly inappropriate-- about as inappropriate as excising scenes to fit censorious tastes.

Off the top of my head, I can recall two enjoyable films that involve "stool samples" of various kinds.

One is: Austin Powers II: The spy who shagged me. The other is The Madness of King George. Take that for what you will.

 

[Jerome Grate]

Depends on the movie. If I'm watching an action film, the last thing I want to see is some obscure sex scene in the middle of the violence. If that question was asked about 10 years ago, I'd say heck yes even in an action film. Now, at 42, I really see no need for it even in a love story. A well directed film will get the point across with out it. Guess I'm getting old.

 

[JeremyErwin]

But did the rest of the film have a "purpose"?

 

[Britton]

Yeah, you got to see Bruce Lee serve up I don't know how many beatdowns.

 

[Qui-Gon John]

Mostly I'd prefer them not to be in regular movies. If one wants to see a sex scene, you can always rent porn.

I think when used, too much of the screen time is wasted with that. You can get the point across showing a couple going into a bedroom, kissing and hugging for a short time, then fading out and then back in to either another scene, or them waking up in the morning, or dressing to leave, etc.

 

[JeremyErwin]

since when was filmmaking about "getting points across"? I always thought that filmmaking was about telling stories.

 

[Qui-Gon John]

Semantics

No, for the most part, showing the actual sex scene, especially the longer drawn out ones, do not add anything to the film or to the storytelling. Sure, there are exceptions, but I think it is over-used, in an attempt to draw more revenue, by attracting people who would see the film, just because of that.

 

[JonZ]

"Most of the time it isn't pulled off very well...for various reasons."

I agree.

 

[Jerome Grate]

Telling Stories, getting points across, however you want to label it, my issue is that a good director can do the job without a sex scene.

 

[dany]

To many sex scenes come up out of nowhere like they needed to stick one in somewhere. I'm wondering if the sex scenes,cussing is need to get a R instead of a pg13? I say less sex and i can do without 99% od cussing and stop smoking.

 

[Jason Seaver]

Sure. You can also "get the point across" by having Jet Li encounter a whole mess of big guys with brass knuckles, showing him clench his fist, and then cutting to him walking away from a bunch of unconscious thugs. But do you really get the same effect?

 

[TheLongshot]

Which is a good point. In some movies, some action scenes can be gratuitous and pointless, or very meaninful to the plot. But, you don't see too often where people would want to cut action scenes.

While some have said, "well, just watch porn", but for the most part, you aren't going to see stars getting it on that way.

Jason

 

[Jerome Grate]

I must admit that would be the exception.

 

[JeremyErwin]

Altman said you need eight 'fucks' for an 'R'. "Director's Commentary", Gosford Park 41:25.