MovieChat Forums > Stealing Beauty (1996) Discussion > Criticism of virginity?

Criticism of virginity?

posted 11 years ago by subase
6 replies | jump to latest

That's what it seems like.

The women in the film snicker and worry that at 19 she is still a virgin. Why would they want her to have premarital sex outside marriage? I thought saving yourself till marriage was considered an admirable thing, instead of something to be looked down and be fixed, especially in italy.

The film is also inconsistent too. Since Rachel in the film is in a bad relationship with a guy mainly cause he's hot and *beep* her good. It's like she's hooked on the drug sex and can't give up a harmful relationship because of it.

[–] cobnut 11 years ago

For a start, most people don't view premarital sex as sinful these days unless they're highly religious. We're not in 1950 anymore.

Secondly, Iain and Diana (who own the villa) and most of their friends are pot-smoking hippies who sunbathe in the nude en masse. They have a relaxed attitude towards sex. As we see from one of the pot-smoking scenes, most of them lost their virginity at a very young age and so to them it IS amusing that a 19-year-old still hasn't.

How does Rachel's character being in a bad relationship make the film inconsistent? We see how jealous she gets of Richard's attentions towards Lucy on more than one occasion, and we see her kissing him lovingly at the dinner table and holding his hand on the way to the Donati's party, both of which indicate that her feelings for him are not, in fact, based purely upon sex. In the main sex scene between the two she is clearly not even enjoying herself and she dumps him the next day. Did you watch the film half-asleep?

The mirror... it's broken.
Yes, I know. I like it that way. Makes me look the way I feel.

[–] DownStyphon 11 years ago

The main problem that pro-virginity people with their campaign have is that most people have normal sexual desires.

It's easy for asexual people (those with very little sexual feelings) to remain "virginal" or "pure."

Since it is in line with one of the fables marketed by Christian churches, people claim that they have massive self-control when it is only their own lack of interest in sex.

Don't fight them or argue with them, just feel sorry for them. When they do get married, their new spouses are really going to be surprised!

"Stupidity got us into this mess, why doesn't it get us out?" - Will Rogers

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 8 years ago

Westerners have sex early and are critical of virgins or those who have sex later. Maybe the OP isn't a Westerner? I know that in the US bjs are considered just holding hands so sex is nothing to them.

And like you, anyone who's a virgin, conservative or not sexually promiscuous is asexual. Asexuality is as bad as being a criminal to them so it's used as an insult like the previous poster just did.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel

[–] pypsqweek 10 years ago

I think Rachel's reaction was one of the most realistic reactions about virginity for some people. Some people are amazed about people being virgin at a late age of even having no children by a certain age. I know some people were amazed that my sister didn't have a kid by the time she was 22. Their reaction was the same. The only thing in common with both situations is that people are surprised at things outside their norm or experiences. I think that was the case with Rachel.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] henrikvinther 9 years ago

I don't think any of the posts here touch upon what the point of the movie is.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a virgin, not at 19 or in general, and the movie doesn't say there is.
Some of the characters believe there is something wrong with being a virgin, but these characters are generally shown as superficial and lacking emotional connection to others.
The message of the movie seems to be, that it is not unimportant who you lose your virginity too. That it is better to lose it with someone who has sincere feelings for you, than someone who only has their self confidence to offer.
Okay so they have sex before marriage, but does it matter? They have true feelings for each other, and will likely end up being married.

that'll be the day