To think most people dislike sex scenes in films?

[Lilyamna]

Inspired by the fast forwarding thread!

Judging by the comments there seems most (women?) would find film-watching much more comfortable without the sex scenes. I know I would!

So let’s have a vote.
YANBU = Prefer no sex scenes
YABU= Love them

Love them

Which full on sex scenes are crucial to the plot then? As opposed to just hinting that sex has taken place?

The Geena Davis-Brad Pitt scene in Thelma and Louise. It's the moment in which Thelma's character properly breaks free of her oppressive old life, and the sex is so good that she forgets not to leave him alone with the money. And that mistake drives the whole plot from then on.

The sex scene in Don't Look Now, which is the emotional core of the film.

I like them.

I usually hate them but almost cheered when the hot priest and fleabag got it on. I so wanted to be her at that moment.

The scene in Monsters Ball with Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton was very steamy!

I'm not a fan unless it adds something to the story that can't be done by just implying what is happening.

I hate them!

I feel like a Voyeur and my husband thins the same.

I like a sex scene if it's done well e.g. Outlander wedding episode S1 but they're very easy to do badly e.g. Outlander reunion episode S3.
They can be uncomfortable to watch with other people but there's nothing wrong with showing characters enjoying sex.

I think most of them are so exaggerated it's all close ups of the female body, and how pleasured she is. You don't need to see this unless something major to the plot is going to happen during the sex bit. I just find them boring. I mean if I want actual porn I'll watch porn! not a couple pretending.

I prefer it when they are getting down to it and the camera pans away and it's left to you to figure the obvious just happened. Then we return to the couple in bed under the sheets talking.

I only appreciate them when they are an important part of the story, and even then if they don’t make me cringe. I especially hate where the couple cum simultaneously after a minute or so of furious grunting (usually up against the wall) then just pull everything back on and go about their daily business . Wouldn’t fast forward though.

Most are unnecessary. I only like them when they are relevant to the plot and there's a point to showing the sex (as opposed to implying it).

I can do without them. Especially as most are either stupid or unintentionally hilarious.

Pre the rise in understanding exploitation and sexism, a lot of actresses missed out on work because they wouldn't do unnecessary sex scenes and bigger female starts used to get criticism because they turned down films. Even rape scenes used to be gratuitous.

Many were just an excuse to show naked women, pretending to orgasm.

None of this has really changed though? Rape scenes are still often gratuitous and titillating. Even naked female corpses are often sexualized.

Look at Game of Thrones - unnecessary naked women all over the place.

Cba with them either.
Can I also mention epic battle/fight scenes as being a similar waste of story time? 10 minutes of slugging it out adds nothing to the plot at all.

I don't mind if they are brief, necessary to the plot and tasteful.

Anything excessive spoils the story and becomes a distraction. That sex scene in Watchmen (the film, not the series) for example - the one that went on for about four hours - what was the point of that, exactly?

I sometimes amuse myself thinking about the DVD release and the poor sod who has to do the audio descriptive commentary for the blind.

One sex scene that I really love is the one in Shirley Valentine. Very little nudity, the orgasm is overdone for comic effect, and when the guy says her stretch marks sre beautiful she turns to the camera and says, "Aren't men full of shit?"

It's perfect, totally in keeping with the film and the character. Not done for the male gaze in the slightest.

Agree pictish though again there are exceptions IMO - the battle scene in Henry V directed by Kenneth Branagh is one i think that adds hugely to understanding the story and the characters as well as the historical background.

I think they just stick them in when they are struggling to fill out the story. I am not uncomfortable with them it's just boring.

Ed Byrne captures this in one of his routines. Something along the lines of watching a sex scene:

Now that we've seen that remarkable performance, let's go and be a massive disappointment to each other once again.

The only sex scene for which I've seen consistent praise is the one in Don't Look Now with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. But I think the context (the couple coping with bereavement after loss of their child) is important and possibly why it makes such a deep impact. (I may be very wrong.)

I quite like them. But now, thinking about it I think the actors must get a bit fed of orgasmic retakes.

The older I've gotten, the more cringey I find it. In my twenties I didn't mind it but something happened in my thirties where it feels weird to watch.

I have to say I think this thread has made me laugh more than any other. Probably because I can relate to it so much.

It's the noisy, slobbery, sloppy kissing I can't stand.

Depends, I mean if its relevant to the story then yes fine.
But its its thrown in and has no relevance to the film/TV show then nope.
One show I have watched had so much sex in it that just had nothing to do with anything in the programme.
Felt like I was watching a soft porn and ruined what would of been a great series had it been for the cheap sex scenes.

Have you noticed how in films/tv shows now they go from kissing to full-on sex all within the space of a few minutes of declaring their love/attraction?
No subtle build-up anymore.
I'm sure it gives impressionable teenage boys the wrong idea about how easily women are turned on and how sexually available they are.