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?

[Zirax]

So it'll be another rubbish film trying to go for controversy to gain viewings. Been done before, wasn't there a film at the Canne film festival that did this?

Also Nicole Kidman, 45. So a woman discovering sexuality later in life..... kinda like Sex and the city?

Flame on

[semi-pro waster]

There's been a few films that have already had that particular boundary crossed and a few more where it has been rumoured the players haven't been acting as such although without the explicit confirmation. I'm not totally sure I see the point myself, there are many things that aren't real about films, I don't particularly care whether the sex is amongst them or not. It's not going to stop me watching a film if I really wanted to see it but nor is it going to be the thing that sways me towards watching a rubbish film just because the sex is not merely simulated - if it's "real" sex that is the enticing part then there's a whole internet out there which I'm sure can cater for almost every taste.

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by Zirax

Also Nicole Kidman, 45. So a woman discovering sexuality later in life..... kinda like Sex and the city?

Flame on

To be fair, the SATC girls had always had active sex lives which is referred to often, the series just picked them up and followed them in their 30s.

In relation to the OP question - I don't think it adds to the movie, in fact, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable - and I don't consider myself prudish. P*rn doesn't bother me at all, but then it's generally advertised as such. I felt a bit uncomfortable with the Nicole Kidman/Tom Cruise sex scenes in Eyes Wide Shut because it felt a bit intrusive, and to be honest, I don't want to know what goes on in their bedroom. Put me off. I go to see Actors acting, not having sex.

In my opinion, it's generally just to raise controversy and get people talking and going to see another otherwise uninteresting film. If anything it will probably detract from any kind of acclaim it could have attracted, rather than the opposite.

[Justsomebloke]

Well I'm old fashioned so all I need are a few sweet words some eye contact a cuddle then cut straight to having an after shag smoke.
I don't want to see any fumbling or shagging if it comes on I go make a cuppa T.

[divine]

You're talking about a film you otherwise wouldn't be talking about - as a result i've heard of a film that i'd otherwise have no idea of the existence of (and I suspect, were it not for something being written about this film because of this, neither would you?).

That's why they've done it.

[Fayshun]

Oooh, you old cynic, you.

[Muban]

Originally Posted by divine

You're talking about a film you otherwise wouldn't be talking about - as a result i've heard of a film that i'd otherwise have no idea of the existence of (and I suspect, were it not for something being written about this film because of this, neither would you?).

That's why they've done it.

I hear this reasoning for many, many things. Not just films, but unless it makes any of us go and see it/purchase it etc then it doen't really make a difference. Talking about something isn't always a positive thing Incidentally I didn't hear of it because of that, I was reading about a well known actor and he is rumoured to be in it. As I hadn't heard about it I went on to read about the film (which doesn't sound anything great really) and then noticed that about it.

[Justsomebloke]

Well I heard about it from this thread & now I will make damn sure I never watch it.
Like Muban says, Chatting about summit is not always a good thing.

[divine]

Originally Posted by Muban

I hear this reasoning for many, many things. Not just films, but unless it makes any of us go and see it/purchase it etc then it doen't really make a difference. Talking about something isn't always a positive thing Incidentally I didn't hear of it because of that, I was reading about a well known actor and he is rumoured to be in it. As I hadn't heard about it I went on to read about the film (which doesn't sound anything great really) and then noticed that about it.

Talking about something is almost universally a positive thing when the thing you're talking about would otherwise be completely unheard of. To say it doesn't make a difference is naive at best I think, even if neither you or I directly go and see it, I might mention it to a friend now in conversation, who may mention it to someone who does go and see it.

You're now part of the chain that may lead to increased sales, whether you directly contribute to those sales or not. Increased awareness is rarely a negative thing, unless it's something already popular that is having it's rep destroyed.

95% of people who hear about this may decide not to see it - like Malc above - but he never would have seen it anyway as he'd never have heard of it - but the other 5% who may go and see it, well those 5% are more than would have seen it without all the publicity, regardless of whether you personally perceive it to be good or bad.