Who should’ve kept their clothes on?
April 10th 2008 23:53
Having seen Before the Devil Knows You're Dead on the weekend, I feel more drawn to talk about my discovery of Paper magazine's 10 Worst Nude Film Scenes of all time.
At the top of the list, without any honour is Philip Seymour Hoffman in his scene with Marisa Tomei in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. Despite having previously won Oscars for his performances, it doesn’t look like he will win one for his bottom baring. I have to admit that I did notice more than a usual film amount of buttock flesh in the infamous scene.
But is this a bad thing? I’m slightly ashamed at even noticing, but my defence is that we’re constantly bombarded by media images of beautiful bodies and faces so when we see something slightly different, it can cause an internal jolt. I didn’t mind my joggle; it made me think about my expectations. We’re all different shapes in real life, so why not on the silver screen? Well, because it doesn’t happen that way, in mainstream cinema anyway. On Hollywood screens we’re customised to perfect bodies and in print media, we’re assaulted by continuous inane information on how these stars do it, how often they starve themselves and how many plastic surgery prodocedures they’ve had that day.
We know as non-Hollywood actors (I’m assuming no one on Orble is, if you are, feeling free to let me know), how much of an unrealistic assumption this is. It is OK to not have that perfect body. They don’t need to cover up; we know we come in all sizes, both on and off-screen.
So it is with playful zest that I’m including this list and to highlight the scrutiny an actor is subjected to, as well as the usual injustice that a male actor can be deviate from the norm, yet Tomei was as expected: trim and gorgeous. Plus, it’s Friday, my brain has been overworked and I need an outlet.
So here is that list: the nominated bodies that are believed they should’ve been covered up and hidden from the world.
Paper magazine's 10 Worst Nude Film Scenes of all time:
1. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
2. Donald Sutherland, Space Cowboys
3. Kathy Bates, At Play in the Fields of the Lord
4. John Gielgud, Prospero's Books
5. Julie Andrews, S.O.B.
6. Burgess Meredith, Such Good Friends
7. Terry Bradshaw, Failure to Launch
8. Jessica Tandy, Camilla
9. Jay North, Maya
10. Patrick Dempsey, Some Girls
What do you think? I’m no nudey expert; I’m merely the vessel of information.
Dennis Dermody, who compiled the list for Paper magazine, said: "The image of Philip's big, bare flabby a** is branded on my brain." Harsh words.
72-year-old star Donald Sutherland, who stripped off while undergoing a physical examination in Space Cowboys in 2000 earned second place. But he’s seventy-two! Is it a surprise that getting nudey isn’t his strongest point?
Finally, I was amazed that Patrick Dempsey, also known as "Dr. McDreamy" by swooning fans was in there, but apparently the 1988 wasn’t his year. In reference to Dempsey, Dermody describes: "The scene won't make you think McDreamy, but rather McTeeny."
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I haven't seen the Kathy Bates one, but I love her. I thought she was fabulous in her almost nude scene in About Schmidt.
I can't remember Terry Bradshaw's scene in Failure To Launch.....but given how terrible that film was, I'm willing to believe it should be included!!
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Doing a nude scene is, for any actor, a moment of vulnerability. I praise these actors - obviously they know they're not People Magazine-hot - for having the nerve to show it all.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
You have a good memory remembering that Kathy Bates did a nude scene in About Schmidt. I really liked that film.
I also don't remember the nudey scene in Failure to Launch, I'm beginning to think i have a bad memory for nudity!
And yes, why would Donald Sutherland be counted on the list...mean choice.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i really admire when well-known female actors agree to appear nude to depict something other than sexuality
this is a really interesting topic, thanks for the good read
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
The only one I say nay to is McDreamy, because I hate him. But go Kathy Bates go!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree, this obsession with perfection is not healthy, on and off screen. Sometimes because of it, I find it hard to connect with a film, especially if it seems obvious an actor is only in their role because of their looks rather than their ability.
That is one of the main reasons I usually see independent films, people are more like real people in those.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for that Failure to Launch info, I was trying to place the scene but couldn’t. I have to say it seems cruel to criticise older actors, of course they don’t have perfect bodies. And why should anyone expect them to have one? It would be odd if they did, it would seem unreal.
There is nothing wrong with nudity when it’s a legitimate part of a scene/storyline and it has a reason.
I agree, Morgan: I really admire when well-known female actors agree to appear nude to depict something other than sexuality.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
He he, I hadn't noticed that about Harvey Keitel! I haven't seen the Bad Lieutenant, but I do remember nude moments in The Piano.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think we can apply this to the SATC film, whether there is nudity or not (and I expect there will be some):
I want to see real, normal nudie bits. No airbrushed perfection. No model-only nakedness. No stunt butts.
I agree. Bring out those flabby bits!!!
Thanks for popping over,
Tracy
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I just read about it and it sounds interesting...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I have no problem with "normal" looking people baring all and don't really suffer from ageism, in fact i find it refreshing when older ladies and gentlemen are brave enough to go all the way without shame.
Thats not to say that I don't enjoy body doubled beauty from time to time, there is a place for both IMO.
As for Bad Lt I love the film and had no problem with Harvey showing of his Keitel's. I added a raw sense of realism lacking in most mainstream depictions of meltdown.
In the world of masturbation scenes, Phillip Seymour Hoffman has a pearler in Happiness and we even get the money shot.
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree:
I have no problem with "normal" looking people baring all and don't really suffer from ageism, in fact i find it refreshing when older ladies and gentlemen are brave enough to go all the way without shame.
I'm really interested in seeing the Bad Lieutenant now...it's even more intriguing as you and Jason have such different opinions about it.
I don't remember that scene in Happiness..maybe that's for the best?
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I did not know about Patrick Dempsey's previous "work". (wink)
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Nor me, maybe he's embarassed...?
Tracy
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Phillips Seymour gets to roger Marisa Tomei?? They lucky devil!!! I had a crush on her for the longest time!
Apparently whathisface in Forgetting Sarah Marshall should've kept his clothes on ...I haven't seen the flick.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That part of Sarah Marshall was annoying. He was allowed to be non-perfectly shaped, yet she was a skinny minnie running around in a bikini for no real reason. That's Hollywood though. But there were some bits of the film that were alright and quite quirky. Paul Rudd was pretty good..
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Things have been busy lately and I'm looking forward to a slothful night soon,this sounds like a good one to see. I'll watch out for that scene, thanks for the heads up
Tracy
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
For me, thats what its about - so what if they look bad, does it work for the story? The worst for me would have to be Kevin Bacon in Wild Things - there was absolutely no need for him to do a full frontal. The scene would have played equally well if he had worn a towel. I keep thinking....Maybe they are trying to show how comfy the blokes are with each other, the trust level, but it still doesnt work, I dont know any guy who just walks out of the shower in front of another guy like that! Also, they are really trying to portray mistrust between them. However I look at it it just doesnt work, there was no point.
But it is funny that he had a clause in his contract saying no full frontal nudity, and because he was a producer or something his lawyer (Or agent or somebody) rang him and said - "If you shoot this like this with your contract how it is, you will have to sue yourself!"