Two things that movies don't often do: show the main characters on the toilet, or show them nude. In the former case it is generally played for laughs, and the latter is either for laughs (in the male case) or sensuality (in the female case). Male nudity is generally only portrayed sensually if accompanied by female nudity, such as in a love scene. Why is this? More than likely it is because the male is being depicted as vulnerable, and for the average American vulnerable=female.
Here's some context: So I teach freshman composition at the University of South Carolina, and I was recently a reader for a student's senior seminar project. The focus of his paper was a discussion of sexuality in advertisements, specifically Old Spice, Victoria's Secret, and AXE commercials. With these three in mind I encouraged him to research why male sexuality, and the male form, is generally portrayed for humor or shock value. That is, unless the male form has been demasculinized such as in Calvin Klein ads when men are hairless and look like androgynous twelve year olds.
By contrast, last week I watched the movie Greenberg. In the film Greta Gerwig as the character of Florence Marr is nude on two separate occasions: the first time is after she realizes her one-night stand has left her feeling even more lonely than before, and the second time is during an awkward sexual encounter with Ben Stiller's Greenberg. What's fascinating about both scenes is that they did not require the nudity; it was a choice to have the camera linger on her entire fragile form during the former, and to have her shirt pulled up in the latter (even though Greenberg is still completely clothed and attempts to go down on her).
My point being, Flo's nudity lacks sensuality and is not thrown in for gratuitous T&A. The director is showing her in her most vulnerable state, in mind and body.
So here's my question to you: Now obviously being without clothes puts you in a vulnerable state physically, but what movies have made it a point to be unflattering in the portrayal of their characters' nudity? Not for humor or sensuality, but to break down the last barrier between the audience and the character.
Side note: when it comes to both toilet scenes and nudity not being played for humor, Old Boy springs to mind.
Here's some context: So I teach freshman composition at the University of South Carolina, and I was recently a reader for a student's senior seminar project. The focus of his paper was a discussion of sexuality in advertisements, specifically Old Spice, Victoria's Secret, and AXE commercials. With these three in mind I encouraged him to research why male sexuality, and the male form, is generally portrayed for humor or shock value. That is, unless the male form has been demasculinized such as in Calvin Klein ads when men are hairless and look like androgynous twelve year olds.
By contrast, last week I watched the movie Greenberg. In the film Greta Gerwig as the character of Florence Marr is nude on two separate occasions: the first time is after she realizes her one-night stand has left her feeling even more lonely than before, and the second time is during an awkward sexual encounter with Ben Stiller's Greenberg. What's fascinating about both scenes is that they did not require the nudity; it was a choice to have the camera linger on her entire fragile form during the former, and to have her shirt pulled up in the latter (even though Greenberg is still completely clothed and attempts to go down on her).
My point being, Flo's nudity lacks sensuality and is not thrown in for gratuitous T&A. The director is showing her in her most vulnerable state, in mind and body.
So here's my question to you: Now obviously being without clothes puts you in a vulnerable state physically, but what movies have made it a point to be unflattering in the portrayal of their characters' nudity? Not for humor or sensuality, but to break down the last barrier between the audience and the character.
Side note: when it comes to both toilet scenes and nudity not being played for humor, Old Boy springs to mind.
