Nudity in Movies...

Necessary or Distracting?

In the past few months, my girlfriend Katelyn and I have been frequently discussing the topic of nudity in films and whether or not it is necessary to the story. This began by discussing the controversial scene in Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan where Natalie Portman's character has a wild sexual encounter with another female (Mila Kunis). While we disagreed on many aspects of this discussion, we were both trying to answer the same question: in what cinematic situations is nudity called for, and when is it not?

So I decided to create a list of movies that succeed in using nudity to enhance the story, and others that, well, do not. This also includes sexual acts that may not necessarily show the actual body part, but certainly show the action of doing it. (I will rate the necessity of nudity on a scale of 1-10.)

We'll start with positivity...

Five Movies That Get It Right

American Pie (1999)

I know it's not the best use of nudity ever, but in terms of enhancing the story, it was too hard to ignore this 1999 teenage phenomenon about a group of high-school seniors who try to lose their virginity before college. Now, the Weitz Brother's could have opted for a PG-13 rating and played it safe, but in 1999, the teenage comedy was almost dead and there was no reason to really go out of your way to see one in the theaters. Until now! American Pie was a huge step in the liberation of nudity in movies. The Shannon Elizabeth/Jason Biggs "sex scene" (or whatever you want to call it) is as funny as it is a movie landmark. Whether you enjoy nudity in films or not, there is no denying that this film would have failed without the abundance of nudity. How can you tell a story about losing your virginity without showing what you need to do that? Of course there are no close-ups of any male or female genitalia, but it avoids the mistake of censoring everything, and shows what it needs to let audiences know that nudity is apart of growing up, for better or worse.

Necessary Rating: 8/10

A History of Violence (2005)

David Cronengerg's mindblowing drama was one of the best movies of 2005, and one of the big reasons for that is because of its controversial sex scene between Viggo Mortensen and Mario Bello. The movie has been around for a while so I don't think this is a spoiler (although if you haven't seen it and want to know the story for yourself, skip this part). After finding out her husband is not who he says he is (that's putting it nicely), she is torn between forgiving him and leaving him. But before she can do any of that, the two engage in a crazy sex scene on the stairs in their home that's not rape or forced (because she eventually sanctions it), but that we know she is still attracted to this man. However, once its over, she leaves without saying a word. It's all physical from here, and I think he realizes that seems to be the only thing left between them. It's a stunner of a scene that utilizes its setting on the stairs to show a stalemate in their relationship. She goes up the stairs after its over. Does he go down? Watch the movie if you haven't seen it. You will be riveted.

Necessary Rating: 9/10

Last Tango in Paris (1973)

This is so strange. In the process of writing this article, I went on to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) to cross-check some credits and to learn more about its stars. Upon doing so, I see a news flash that the film's star Maria Schneider has passed away. It was an eerie coincidence, one that it now impossible for me to shake off. In this movie, Roger Ebert called the sex scenes "not sex at all, just a physical function of the soul's desperation." Couldn't have said it better myself Roger. This is considered one of the most controversial movies ever, and for good reason. If you have a closed mind, avoid this one, unless you want it opened up.

Necessary Rating: 10/10

The Dreamers (2003)

A fascinating, but exhausting sexual adventure about an American (Michael Pitt, now from Boardwalk Empire fame) studying in France who befriends a brother and sister during the 1968 student riots. I saw this movie for the first time when I was 15 and barely understood any of it. Watching it again in college made me look at it very differently. The movie is pure escapism, and in order to capsize on this American's fantasy, the viewer must be overwhelmed by how far sexually he is willing to go to feel that escape. While I'll admit the sexual content overbears almost anything else in the movie, the performances and controversial scenes make for one fascinating account of someones sexual desires.

Necessary Rating: 9/10

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Now, obviously there isn't any sex in this movie that one can enjoy. In fact, this movie contains one of the most disturbing scenes I've ever seen. However, it's for that reason that this movie makes the list. In the finale sequence, a character struggling with a serious drug addiction (played by Jennifer Connelly) sinks so low to get a fix that she's even willing to fornicate with another woman in front of an entire crowd of ruthless men just to get it. The only way we can truly feel the horror of this woman's actions is by physically showing what she's doing. It is a stunning portrait of addiction, one that literally creates the image of the lowest point in a person's life, and while it's happening, she knows exactly this. Anyone will tell you this movie is not for the squirmish, but for everyone else, it's a triumph.

Necessary Rating: 10/10

Five Movies That...Don't

Splice (2010)

Adrien Brody has sex with an alien. And they show it. What else do you need to know?

Necessary Rating: 2/10

Hollow Man (2000)

Note to studio executives- Invisible rape does not sell a movie, but that's one of the big scenes in this Kevin Bacon thriller, or should I say disaster. Not only are we watching a woman get rapped, but we're suppose to get some disgusting feeling that this is someones fantasy because she can't see who the rapist is? Literally? The only way to get through this is to notice the cheesiness of how its shot. If that's the case, game over.

Necessary Rating: 1/10

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

I enjoyed this crazy sci-fi sequel to the 1999 smash, but the Wachowski Brothers display a side to the human race only underground clubs should show. I understand they were trying to display the liberation of human sexuality, but did it have to be shown through a naked cave rave? That or Keanu Reeves and Carrie Ann-Moss showing off their beyond obvious awkwardness during a sex scene?

Necessary Rating: 3/10

The Human Centipede (2010)

What's wrong with the way this film displays nudity? Or better yet, everything? The answer is...EVERYTHING!

Necessary Rating: 0/10

Munich (2005)

Spielberg tries to create such fear in one man's eyes that he literally can't even have sex with his pregnant wife without those fears returning to his head. It's a bold scene, but it comes out of nowhere, in a movie that forgets the story it was trying to tell in the first place.

Necessary Rating: 4/10

Bruno (2009)

Too much penis. Not enough humor. When you have to mimic a website called MeatSpin.com to get a laugh, it's not only desperate, it's sad.

Necessary Rating: 3/10

This is just a taste of countless films that explore sexuality. I for one find it perfectly acceptable for a filmmaker to display the human body, so long as it has a reason to be in it. Wild Things can be considered a joke of a movie, but does the nudity make it better? I think so, and not just because of that epic pool scene. But did About Schmidt need a naked Kathy Bates in a hot tub? I think not. That is clearly a distraction. But everyone feels differently. And that's perfectly acceptable. Political beliefs, parental figures, where you live, and who you see the movie with are all factors in how one reacts to a scene.

I watched Last Tango in Paris during college after a class where we discussed the end of the Production Code, so I was clearly looking at the film from an educational standpoint. It's a movie I think any aspiring filmmaker should see, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to a family member or someone like that. In a perfect world, I wish everyone was able to realize that nudity is a part of life, but then again, there are also films that can bring the human body back fifty years. For example, if anyone enjoyed the nudity in The Human Centipede, I see a therapist in your short future.