Unsimulated sex in movies (The Nymphomaniac)

[Muban]

Was just reading about The Nymphomaniac the other day. Apparently the sex scenes in it will be unsimulated. Whilst I'm sure it won't be a 'porno', it does make we wonder why the need to have the actors actually have sex.

It's just something I can't get my head round. I'm all for art and expression, but I'm not sure that actually seeing actors have sex in a mainsteam film would bring anything extra to it. How much is acceptable in movies these days? How far is enough? Anything as long as it isn't illegal?

Maybe it says more about my attitude to sex than anything else. I know I could never do it and wouldn't be OK with a parnter doing it. But maybe for some, sex is just something else you do with your body. One thing is for sure, their real life partners must be pretty accepting and OK with it.

What do you think? If it does add anything extra to the film, can you explain why this is?