Sex scenes in dramatic, action-filled movies are usually much different than other genre's, and two interesting "anti-chick-flick" films come to mind: 300 and Troy . This video contains both movies sex scenes, but please ignore the cheesy pop music in the background..and warning--there is nudity. (This link is a longer version of just the 300 scene)
In 300, this passion-filled scene between King Leonidas and Queen Gorgo of Sparta is interesting because it contains elements that make this hardcore grope-fest what society deems "tasteful". For starters, the scene is done in black and white, and mixes in dark pulsing voids (basically between sex positions). The subtle background music is in tune with their heavy breathing, while the Queen's perfectly windblown hair stays flawless, even though the sex is so passionate that she has to claw her nails into his back. I find it interesting that this scene contains nudity (only female, however), and the positions are that of rough sex (as opposed to sweet sex), but the scene still comes off incredibly classy. The dynamic of their relationship is so rich and involved within this movie, its no wonder there is insane heat between the sheets. 
In Troy, the sex scene with Orlando Bloom is intercut with other scenes, taking away an element of passion and privacy, and is done in color
(however, lit by candlelight...how realistic). The woman is the aggressor in this scene, as opposed to Queen Gorgo's submissive nature. This is definatley a scene of "sweet" sex, cementing this notion with Orlando's line "Till the day they burn my body, I will love you" (How, umm, romantic...)In Brad Pitt's scene, the woman appears to be the aggressor (by, well, attempting to kill him), but Brad turns the option of a violent death into a sexual invitation and makes the act more about him. We will see that this theme of violence mixed with sex
comes up alot in Drama and Action films (as well as all great tragedies).So, which sex scene is the most "tasteful"? What are the key elements in dividing scenes from sexy acceptable to slutty inept? Is it the element of passion and love what seperates a great sex scene from basic porn? Directors have many different techniques to make a sex scene just right. This is how most actors feel when they are given bad (or not enough) direction. Directors must work hard to have the right tone, show just enough (but what's too much?) and attempt their best shot at sexy yet tasteful. Are these movies successful?
3 comments:
I haven't seen Troy, but I have to admit that I found 300 incredibly dull and repetitive. Both violence and sex are used to try to make movies more exciting, but here the characters seemed so one dimensional that I just didn't care.
HOW could you find 300 DULL? Sure, they used gore/blood/slaughter as a tool to attract an audience (and for shock value), but the overall movie was incredibly visually stunning. The characters might have been a little one-dimensional, but of all of the relationships, the most interesting had to be the King and Queen..
I admit that 300 was beautifully shot, but that still doesn't save it for me. When it comes right down to it, I just don't think it was that well written -- poor character development, repetitive violence, badly plotted. And that doesn't even begin to get into Frank Miller's xenophobia. It's pretty to look at, but as you can tell, this was a film I really did not like.
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