| Sexuality is
taken as a part of culture in the West and thus
the Hollywood film industry also depicts it in
the same way in their movies. However, the very
notion of human sexuality has been modified by
integrating sexuality and homosexuality in the
socio-cultural trends of Hollywood film industry
with the modernization of the world.
Ever since the creation of the Hollywood film
industry, we find the reflection of the Western
social and cultural instruments as the essence
in every movie along with the same subject matter.
Even through cartoons, they teach their children
about each and everything going on in this world,
even so the very aspect of sexuality has always
been given a balanced part. History, science or
any other subject, no doubt explains a unique
and classical way of imparting education to the
adolescent, but the implicit awareness of certain
issues themselves becomes a source of disadvantage
for them.Where the basic concept of human sexuality
is concerned, they use it as a subject. Basically
sexuality means, the sexual nature and characteristics
of either sex; male or female, therefore this
means the sexual desires or sexual feelings of
both genders. At the same time, sexuality has
become a common debate in today's American society.
However, the increasing awareness about sexuality
between an acceptance and affirmation of diversity
on one hand, and defense of the established norms
on the other hand is the issue of concern in the
Hollywood.
In order to understand how media projects human
sexuality, this paper will discuss two common
aspects of human sexuality observed from two different
movies. The aspects chosen to discover and analyze
are the physical appearance and nature of relation
ships between both the genders. However, the movies
chosen are “indecent proposal” and
“pretty women.”
Indecent Proposal and Human Sexuality
Sexuality is portrayed in a very different aspect
in the movie indecent proposal. Here sexuality
is not taken as any gender discrimination but
sexual behavior is used as a tool to win the heart
of a married women. Though the movies shows a
very strong bond of relationship among the main
cast which are Dian Na David, (Demi Moore and
Woody Harrelson) This is a couple who is in love
since child hood and their early marriage is shown.
They do not belong to a high status class therefore
both the husband and wife is struggling together
to earn their life at the same time saving some
amount for their future dream house. Romance is
shown in a beautiful and positive way though the
element of sexuality is present but only kissing,
touching and sex under bed sheet. On one side
we find the smiles, kisses and tender stroking
of David expressing a very beautiful emotional
force towards her wife. On the other hand we observe
the sexual appearance of Diana as a usual course
of dressing and her responses towards her husband
in a sensational manner. Though sexuality is portrayed
in a sensational and erotic expression but at
the same time it is fabricated with the element
of romance and a strong bond of love relationship
between husband and wife.
However, suddenly we find a negative aspect of
human sexuality when David loses his job and the
dream house of this loving couple gets at steak
due to the heavy loan of 50,000 dollars. At this
moment we see a millionaire offering a remedy
to this couple. Here we find two negative aspects
of human sexuality. First the remedy offered by
the third character John Gage (Robert Redford)
as he offers a million dollar to Diana if she
agrees to spend a night with him. So what disturbs
here is the materialistic projection of a human
being due to her sexually appealing physical appearance.
At the same time we also noticed the dressing
of women in the movie, which is half naked most
of the time. A beautiful lady having a sexy figure
where the boobs are projected as the main source
of attraction of men is seen in many scenes in
this movie. This also attracted Johan and the
unpractical approach projected is that Diana and
David agrees for this sacrifice for saving their
dream house. Therefore, at the same time we see
a very strong bond of understanding and love between
Diana and David and we also observe the message
delivered by the movie that money or no other
material of the world cannot buy love and a relationship
showered with a strong bond of trust and understanding.
However, this theme portraying love being stronger
then money is all messed up during the second
half of the movie. The strong bond of relations
between David and Diana is weakened and David
seems to be frustrated and keeps on taunting Diana
as she slept for a night with a handsome and sexually
appealing billionaire businessman. Actually psychologically
he is not accepting this though the decision was
taken with mutual understanding under a strong
bond of trust and love between this young couple.
On the other hand john falls in love to Diana
and proposes her for marriage on the same night
they had sex to each other as a contract. Therefore,
here more erotic and sensational scenes of human
sexuality are projected with partial and impartial
nudity. With this we also observe an indecent
love triangle among these three characters due
to the sexual appearance of women.
Pretty Women and Human Sexuality
This is another movie portraying human sexuality
in a different way. Though the sexy physical appearance
and dressing style is the usual of the Hollywood
films but what makes it more appealing is who
is wearing these dresses. Yes Julia Roberts one
of the most hottest and sexiest actress of Hollywood
is playing a character of a smart, beautiful and
sexy prostitute. Here we observe human sexuality
is portrayed in a very different manner. Though
women are projected as erotic symbols and the
main element of sex. They are selling sex and
their body, though not portrayed with dirt and
nudity, they are satisfying the physical demands
of men but detaching themselves emotionally. However
the most important thing to notice is the hidden
element of pride and self-respect when we observe
the character of Julia Roberts as a prostitute.
Like other prostitutes, she does not have sex
to who ever come to her. She plays with only men
of her choice, which is not a long list presented
in the movie. So along the open sexy projection
of women and men in this small world of prostitution
game, where nudity is not projected with sensational
movements, exposing boobs, and butts of women
during the main erotic scenes. At the same time
men is also projected as a strong element of sex.
Though they are not shown fully naked but their
strong built, sensational touching and kissing
style as well as showing few body parts but not
the main sex organ (penis) makes the movie quite
erotic and sensational. However, sex is not shown
even for a single scene openly, it is always projected
with in the blankets. With this strong and stunning
projection of human sexuality we also notice the
decency and respectable style with intelligence
and beauty in women here. So we can notice women
with beauty and brains here as well.
As far as the relationships are concerned, we
find a lot of physical intimacy but short scenes
expressing vague relationships. However, male
female friendships are often seen as well as professional
relationship among male and female is also present
in the movie. But the softness and sweetness among
the relationships portrayed in the movies is hidden
in the love and romantic relationship among the
prostitute Julia Roberts and Richard Gere who
is presented as a rich businessman. Their relationship
starts in a pure professional manner as Julia
agrees to guide Richard on his business visit
to Los Angeles against $10. The ample knowledge
of Julia about cars and her business tips impresses
Richard and he extends relationship with her with
out any intensions of sex. Slowly this relationship
turns into a strong bond of love and romance is
portrayed in a soft and sensational manner. So
we observe the sweetness of love that it has no
boundaries of classes, race or culture. Both belong
to two different life styles, but fall in love
and experience a nice romantic relationship.
What makes us understand the nature of relationship
among different characters and genders in the
movie is the speaking style, the movements, the
smiles and way the dialogues delivered. Where
we see two friends of opposite genders are attracted
to each other and they involve in soft kissing
and tender touching it makes us realize the level
of intimacy. While such expressions are presented
only to the limit of kissing and touching with
out any mental planning. It often presented as
such situation occurs and both the genders gets
into slight physical contacts but we do not find
open sex or open intimate relationships among
professional friends as well as family friends
in the movie except of those who are involved
in some kind of love relationship or physically
attracted to the prostitutes presented in the
movie.
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