Theme Of Sexuality In Film

The theme of human sexuality in films by Peter Bogdanovich, Jiri Menzel, Gregg Araki and Gia Coppola display the sense of a perturbed and somewhat disconnected youth in their narratives. The central characters throughout each film face challenges concerning how they display their sexuality. In The Last Picture Show (1971) and Closely Watched Trains (1966) sexuality subtly represents having freedom and gaining respect from others; however, in The Doom Generation (1995) and Palo Alto (2013) expressing sexuality is naturalized - it is erotic and is used in selfish manipulative actions. Apart from the inter-woven theme of sexuality throughout these films, all four directors rejects the Hollywood Imperative and the conventions of how cinema …show more content…
The focus of adults is made primarily on Sam the Lion (Ben Johnson) and Lois’ past relationship and the one between Ruth (Cloris Leachman) and Sonny (Timothy Bottoms). Although they do not directly talk to each other it is implied, then later confirmed that there was a romantic relationship as both reminisce. In Sam’s monologue he mentions that the past was “pretty wild and pretty deep” to Sonny; he looks genuinely content as he stares at the pond. Sam is the adult figure who gives out wisdom at the right time and is relatable to the other young men. Another protagonist is Sonny who is an individual that attempts sexual advances with his first girlfriend and fails. Compared to Duane he believes he is not as experienced in sex like him, this is translated to the screen when he stares at the interaction between his best friend and Jacy. Although, his sexual experiences grow with people like Ruth and Jacy but ultimately are not successful in lasting long. Ruth is an older woman that he starts his relations was made in secret and it becomes more about her expecting too much from him and realizes that he is just a kid. Bogdanovich’s portrayal of sexuality throughout the film is not erotic, but it is clinical. The sex scenes between the couples mentioned before are not passionate and it is more or less it is realistic to young adults experience sex. The director does not stylize the sexual encounters but defines the awkwardness in the situation, that everything does not go as planned. In scenes with Duane and Jacy in the hotel room and he struggles to perform further in the sexual act or between Ruth and Sonny in the bedroom; where they try to take their clothes off in a decent