Written by: John Borg
Whether we like to admit it or not, sexual intercourse plays a large role our lives. Our fascination with sex has led to many outlets attempting to manipulate our desires, and the movie industry is no exception.
Characters have been shown “doing the nasty” in movies for decades, and it usually follows the same pattern: two partners engage in passionate intercourse with both partners experiencing euphoria with every thrust. Movies from the critically lauded Monster’s Ball to the infamously panned Showgirls depict the raw intercourse that has become standard when we think about sex. American Pie became notorious for taking a more amusing stance with its sexually charged humor and explicit talk about sex.
But does intercourse really feel like “warm apple pie” and have the same intense zeal that is depicted in movies? Does sex go as smoothly and “lubricated” as demonstrated in Hollywood?
“Not at all!” said freshman Kathleen Murphy. “It looks so much more romantic and intimate than in real life.” Murphy, an early childhood education major, complains that romantic movies “make it seem like you are always in love, when it’s random a lot of the time.”
Freshman family science major Catherine Davis criticizes the movie industry for “dramatiz[ing]” sex. “They make it seem perfect,” she said.
Others condemn the false implications that films send about sex. “It’s not as easy in real life…girls are a lot easier in movies [and] it gives guys false hope,” said Ibzan Castro, a freshman mechanical engineering major. Castro described a “trial and error” approach that is employed in actual dating, that involves “survey[ing] a bunch of girls to find the one.”
Similarly, stereotypes are a source for grievance. “There is always that pretty girl that guys always go after, when, in real life, there are a lot of pretty girls,” said Murphy. “Also, girls are always portrayed as sluts in movies, when its usually guys.”
Davis describes how, “the people are always attractive: perfect height, hair, and body; but that sure as hell doesn’t happen!”
Many complaints stem from the emotions that movies do not highlight. “There’s emotional stuff, like snuggling!” said Davis.
Castro criticizes movies because they “only show the physical aspect of it, not the emotional stuff.”
Sex is sex. It is raw, it is passionate, but it is not like it is portrayed in movies. It may add appeal to a film, but sex in movies must always be taken with a grain of salt. So throw on that condom and have an experience unlike any movie can describe.
