Don't Look Now : The sex scene is very unnecessary

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

Filming anything is "unnecessary", we can say that any art is "unnecessary". If The Godfather has never been made, human civilization would survive. If Ben Hur hasn't been filmed the Universe would find no loss.

There is nothing "necessary" or "unnecessary" in art. It is the way the artist looks at the world, it i what he wants to tell us and make us see, hear, feel.

Sun in necessary, so is the atmosphere or water. Everything else is a personal free choice, and I don't believe there would be two same choices about things being necessary or not.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

It was entirely unnecessary. Not that it was bad. I'm sure Sutherland loved every second of it, too. But it didn't work within the film itself.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I thought the scene was beautiful: it showed two intimate people comfortable with their own nudity, perhaps enjoying themselves in a long time since the tragedy. It seemed like two people trying to retain a sense of humanity by bonding together.

This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary


I thought the scene was beautiful: it showed two intimate people comfortable with their own nudity, perhaps enjoying themselves in a long time since the tragedy. It seemed like two people trying to retain a sense of humanity by bonding together.
Very eloquently stated, almost as eloquently as the scene was filmed!

Normally I cringe at sex scenes because they appeal to prurient interests and have little or nothing to do with the plot. These days, films include sex scenes to reach a certain demographic -- generally the horny teenage male (or males who have never gotten past the horny teenage stage).

But in "Don't Look Now," the scene was essential to developing the characters of these two tortured souls. They needed each other emotionally as well as physically, and we needed to see that.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

This is what I say about the sex scene in DLN: Try to imagine what the film would be like without it. Superficially, it may seem unnecessary. But remove it, and it's like an orchestra playing a piece of music with, say, the woodwinds removed. Something is missing.






There, daddy, do I get a gold star?

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

Right you are. That scene is completely necessary to our understanding of the film in general and the couple in particular. As strange as this film is, it's believable because of scenes like that. Sadly, if it were made today, that scene probably wouldn't have made it, or at least would have been filmed much differently – for the audience's arousal rather than its understanding.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

"Sadly, if it were made today, that scene probably wouldn't have made it, or at least would have been filmed much differently – for the audience's arousal rather than its understanding."

Actually, I think they would have found ten minutes of "new material" to substitute for it.




There, daddy, do I get a gold star?

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Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

As with most sex scenes, it was a show-stopper in the worst sense. It did NOT advance the plot or character understanding. The film firmly establishes the nature of the characters' relationship both before and after the sex scene. We learn nothing from this overdone, over-long scene. The preceding scene in the bathroom with Sutherland on the scale, etc., was sufficient at establishing intimacy. The sex scene took me out of the movie and made me embarrassed for the actors and crew.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I remember reading in a film magazine (possibly Empire or Total film) a few years ago that it is considered one of the sexiest sex scenes in a film. I don't agree with that. I didn't find it sexy at all but it was very tender and showed the couple trying to recover from the loss. They may be grieving but they still have so much love. That sounds so twee :)

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

From what I hear they were actually have "real" sex in this movie.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

Is it wrong that the sex scene was my favourite part?

Sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love.

Re: The sex scene is necessary

I completely disagree with the reasons you give for this scene. It's not there to shock people or grab bored people's interest, that's just a cynical view on filmmaking.

To me it has to do with emotions, there's real real love between the John and Laura, and it shows there and then. The whole film vibrates with emotions, so it's not a strange scene within the whole anyway.

It's also part of the tragedy that enfolds. The way the movie starts makes us feel that it is a tragedy, and John and Laura have to cope with the death of their child - which in real life often ends up in divorce. John and Laura don't divorce, but the pain is there, and they're coping with it. The love scene is the moment they're really together. After that, it's only the logical conclusion of a tragedy: death.




"When there is no more room in the Oven,
the Bread will walk the Earth."

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

Don't know if it was unnecessary or not but it sure was an overrated scene

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

The sex scene was the most horrific part of the film for me! I was like "make it end".

And you get to see a row of naked Donalds in the mirror too.

SCARY!!!!

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary


yeah i thought it was pointless too and way too long. Id been hearing about DLN's infamous steamy sex scene for years, finally saw it and was just bored!!



I AM THE B!TCH WITH THE HOT GUITAR

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I somehow feel it was necessary;it added to the atmosphere.And after the death of their child it was the first time that they had sex,so it was full of passion mainly emanating from the slight hope that their son may be alive,as predicted by the two clairvoyant sisters.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

This is most definitely one of the best and most moving sex scenes I have ever seen. It's honest and intimate, and as many have mentioned, essential for the character development.

Some of the people who write here just probably haven't had that good sex, and thus can't relate.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I can't believe not one person mentioned that they just enjoyed seeing Julie Christie nude.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I did!

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I totally disagree. I liked that the film focused on so many different things - like the relationship between John and Laura - instead of just trying to frighten you all the time.

"Do you like me more than you don't like me or do you not like me more than you do?"

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Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary


The sex scene is very unnecessary
No it's not. It's the first time after Christie's character's period of sadness and mourning the couple is one again. It tells a lot about the parents, maybe you should watch it again.

If only for the amazing editing.

Chaos reigns

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Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

Just saw it again, and have to disagree. It might have gone on a bit too long, but if it wasn't for that scene, they wouldn't have done anything but quarrel throughout the entire film.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I'm surprised to hear anybody say that sex scene was unnecessary because it was shock for shocks sake. It is probably the least 'shocking' sex scene ever and the most beautifully natural sex scene I've ever seen in a movie.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I get what they were going for with the scene - unglamorous, awkward, affectionate, long time married couple type of sex. Basically the type you never see in a modern film.

The problem is that the actors had zero chemistry. No matter how many mins of it or how many positions were shown, all I saw were actors in front of a camera. I just didn't buy it.

Problem no.2 is that you just can't make it sexy with an actor as physically unappealing as this one no matter how good the direction and acting. As a viewer, you're already turned off before it begins!

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

what the hell was up with that sex scene? she was licking his armpit and feet.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I don't take issue with the sex scene in and of itself but it DID seem to last an eternity.

I was more bothered by the blind psychic apparently feeling herself up and having an orgasm over John during her "fit." WTF. Whether that was the intended result I don't know but that is sure what it looked like.


"Why couldn't the monkey arrange this from INSIDE the garbage can?"

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

I don't think she was having an orgasm over John per se; she was channeling Christine at the time she had the "orgasm", and the implication is that Christine was present when John and Laura made love the previous night. Christine is obviously mimicing her mother, or Heather is watching them make love through Christine's eyes, but either way it is important in the context that it establishes the authenticity of the sisters.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

OH COME ON

I really don't understand what's the issue with this scene. With all the centuries of completely unnecessary and exploitative sex scenes in cinema history, why oh why bother with this one? It's one of the most touching love scenes I have seen. And it does tell a lot about the characters and how they're coping together. Moreover, it's probably the only scene I have ever seen that starts with her caressing him. Is it this thing that shocks people so much?

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

Thank you. I agree with you comment.

I cannot believe how much hate this film is getting from people. Do any of you haters know anything about good filmmaking? (rhetorical) It is pretty evident that many people on here have some very internal problems, and one track minds.

for the OP: As for the sex scene, it was very necessary OP! The characters were not having sex, they were making love. I don't think you know the difference. Also if you have a problem seeing sex/love making on film then you should not be doing it in real life!!! Film is a reflection of reality.

Always look for the positive in every situation.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

As a monk, I also felt the scene was unnecessary and completely out of place. Roeg would have done much better by having a 5 minute scene of them sitting in silence contemplating.

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

i agree. but the movie is arthouse from the get-go so, basically, in that kind of movie, and in roeg's movies in general, anything goes HIS way. the director's decisions are more important than any storyline. that's his style, like it or not.

www.thefearmakers.blogspot.com

Re: The sex scene is very unnecessary

The whole movie was unnecessary.
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