LIST

A LOT TO BE DESIRED​

5 FILMS ABOUT SEXUAL TENSION
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BY
VINAY VADGAMA

PUBLISHED
​19 DEC 2017

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
SPIKE JONZE / 1999

I have seen a world that NO man should see!

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH delves, quite literally, into the mind of actor John Malkovich, allowing the film’s characters to explore their sexualities through someone else’s eyes. The conflict lies in their continued desire to “be someone else”. Insanity ensues when Craig (John Cusack) goes a step too far, imprisoning his wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) and becoming Malkovich in a bid to get closer to Maxine (Catherine Keener): the object of his affections. Their respective craving for Malkovich drives each character to their breaking point. The result is another compelling Kaufman tale: sex through the eyes of another is addictive.

HER
SPIKE JONZE / 2013

I can feel my skin.

HER is a thought-provoking dystopian drama that poses many fascinating questions, explores an emotional relationship of the mind by giving it a voice. Operating System Samantha (voiced Scarlett Johansson) at first has little connection with the outside world. She seems distant, part of a future we may one day experience. Yet her evolution presents her as a perfect companion. Sex is usually presented as a physical act but HER shows us the psychological power that pulls Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) towards her. Their dynamic makes for an emotional viewing as their relationship grows into something very human: jealousy.
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BLACK SWAN
DARREN ARONOFSKY / 2010

I just want to be perfect.

Precision is something ballerina Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) has mastered. However, her indulgent and pampered upbringing, leaves her lacking individuality. Upon the arrival of malignant Lily (Mila Kunis), Nina finds herself transforming into another woman and a new, darker person is awakened. This creates a new rival that helps her use her sexuality to strive for her final glorious moment as the Swan Queen. The ferocity of the dancing world has never before been this clear, showing that sex can be a powerful tool to make your way to the top. BLACK SWAN purposefully makes it difficult to decipher what is genuine and what is an exaggerated version of Nina’s reality.
 

IRRATIONAL MAN
WOODY ALLEN / 2015

It's very scary when you run out of distractions.

In IRRATIONAL MAN the classic romantic comedy takes on a dark twist as philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) struggles with his sexual identity. After being labelled as a fierce and moody “man’s man”, his revival as passionate and spiritual comes at a price. His love for philosophy and one of his students traps him in a conundrum. The only way he can “perform" is to justify his existence. Will he kill another human just for a chance to truly express love? Lustful impulses control his life yet it pushes him too far, trapping him in a lie against the student (Emma Stone) who has a hold on his heart.

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY...
ROB REINER / 1989

I'll have what she's having.

Portrayed over two decades, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... charts the serendipitous encounters of the titular characters (Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan). The sexual tension is obvious. “Fate” has gone on to be a lacklustre concept in recent years, however, Reiner excels in it here. The film evokes the age-old debate “can men and women be friends? The question is the focal point of the film and we are left to enjoy the “Will they? Won’t they?” journey. In the film's standout scene, Sally revels in this debate, staring Harry in the eyes as she groans and moans with every ounce of sexual passion she has, much to the dismay of the strangers surrounding them.

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