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January 26, 2011
10 Realistically Awkward Movie Sex Scenes
Sex isn't always perfectly choreographed. Which is why these films got it right.
By Amanda Green
The New Yorker's film critic Anthony Lane once said, "An alien watching modern movies would think that human intercourse consisted of nothing more than two faces approaching and docking in horizontal silhouette." And in ninety-nine percent of movies, it's true. Two beautiful people kiss; the man reveals his perfectly chiseled chest. After that, whatever nudity is the woman's, and there's no mention of the biology or physics of the whole thing. Thankfully, there are some exceptions. The sex scenes in these movies look a little more familiar.
Brokeback Mountain
Nothing kills the mood like bringing up relationship stress – whether it's money or family planning – right before sex. Keeping a big secret from you partner doesn't help, either. In this case, the secret is six-feet tall and boyishly rugged. Aside from that, who can’t relate?
Y Tu Mamá También
Premature ejaculation happens to every guy at some point. It's not any less embarrassing when it happens in a romance language, either.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Or in this case, fast times in the Ridgemont High baseball dugout. We all imagined our first times would be thrilling. But only a few of us were right.
The Ice Storm
Everyone experiments as a kid. We don’t all get walked in on by our dads while fooling around with the neighbor boy, or while wearing a Richard Nixon mask, but still.
Greenberg
Sometimes you don't really know each other. And you struggle to get undressed. And you're thinking it's not the first time you've done this recently.
Commentarium (43 Comments)
I love the sex scene in y tu mama tambien. that whole movie has a wonderfully honest sex-vibe. love it.
sexo avontade
HGYT
I like it movie
Wow. Where did you get the Tiny Furniture sex scene? That movie is so new!
hi
I was hoping for the gay cowboy sex part of Brokeback.
same !!!!!!!!!!!!! :) xx
sex
Whoa. Very nice selection of films. Time for Netflix.
"When she finally gets what she wants, it's heartbreakingly unspecial."
Summing up my life in a single sentence!
that 'slums' clip is hilarious. nice picks. i'll have to get some of these.
In "Close My Eyes", Clive Owen does it with his half sister in the most normal and unrehearsed way
great list but i'm disappointed by the omission of the pool sex scene in Showgirls. maybe it's just me but I found that scene both frighteningly realistic and beautifully natural.
I always thought the sex scene between Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin in "The Big Easy" was realistically awkward and nice.
mm
I I know Amanda, I'd guess that she thought of including the first time scene from Love and Basketball. It's a favorite of mine. Sanaa Lathan did shy so well.
Ugh, I couldn't stand watching Tiny Furniture. You ever been high enough that you can sense bad acting to the point where it is painful to watch? Maybe? No? Well if not, than this movie can give you the same experience while sober!
I HAVE been that high and I HATE that feeling! I'm glad i'm not the only one!
Also, sorry to doublepost but have you seen "PS" with Topher Grace and Laura Linney? Its one of the most awkward sex scene ever.
Unfaithful's is the best sex scene, ever. I still think about it.
Yea yea it really hot when watching unfaitfull its d hottest scene
Unfaithful sex scene is filthy. So good. Viggo Mortensen in 'A History of Violence' is indeed, violent.
Y tu mama tambien has the best most honest sex scene imho :-D Didn't know a bunch of the other 9 though.
The first realistic and graphic sex scene I saw in the movies was in Tie me up Tie me down. Very hot also.
The sex scenes in Blue Valentine are also raw and real. I think Michelle Williams is great for that. She really seems to be coming into her own after starting her career on Dawson's Creek. Remember when people thought that show was "too real"?
None of the ones I immediately thought of made it here.
the one with Night Owl in the Watchmen was my immediate reaction.
What about Jude Law and Rachel Weisz in Enemy at the Gates? Sooooooo awkward!
Richard Gere pwnz that wetty with a snowglobe for maximum WIN.
Monster ball's couch scene rocks!!!
I am partial to the sex scene in Stealing Beauty.
aaaaaaaaaaaaa
What is the picture at the top of the article?
It's a still from Y Tu Mamá También.
The makeup sex scene from All the Real Girls is pretty true to life..
So right about the Superbad scene--perfect in its hideous awkwardness. Also: "Election," when Matthew Broderick is having make-a-baby sex with his wife and she keeps chirping, "Fill me up." Ugh!
Robert De Niro and Uma Thurman in "Mad Dog and Glory".
Ok, Fine and nice
Sorry, but I don't care what Anthony Lane said... and especially now that he bases his opinions on what aliens do or don't think! Yes, I know he is using the phrase as literary license for an objective point of view. I know his goal is to evaluate realism in sex scenes. But is realism the whole point? Is that why we write, tell stories, and make movies? Is that why we no longer work as hard at telling kids to think, to imagine, to be creative. Bahh!
weres all the action?
i wanted
I'd go for Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie in Don't Look Now and Beatrice Dalle and Jean Hugues Anglade in Betty Blue for their naturalism. Oh and the ones in History Of Violence are pretty good as well.
looks like a very refreshing list.......