MovieChat Forums > La vie rêvée des anges (1998) Discussion > Was it rape?

Was it rape?

posted 18 years ago by GotaFeeling
5 replies | jump to latest

I know this board is not frequented much even though this is a beautiful film. Sad, really. I could go on and on about the sadness of this film... but you already know.

My question instead is one of definition. Would you consider what occured between the rich boyfriend and the light haired girl (names escape me--but the rest never shall) the first time in the hotel to be rape? It certainly seemed to start that way, though she did not technically say no. Then it seems that before he entered her and during she struggled... but not in the sense of a woman being raped. And then of course the final shot shows she is ferociously into it.

Would you consider this rape? I ask because I have had a few similar experiences--with girlfriends, not someone I barely knew like this guy--and am not sure what I consider them. I think some girls like to fight it and bring out your aggression and then passionately respond to that. Some girls might like it a bit rough as well. So I'm not sure.

Because of her response, that scene was very effective for me. Seemed like she got true release by the end, and isn't that what sex is all about?

But the question still remains.

[–] BassiMoto 18 years ago

I don't really feel it was rape. She knew what she going into that room for, I just think she may have had some reservations at first. She was pretty emotionally screwed up from her past and as the affair went on it was pretty clear she need some mental help.

"She is my Mirror of Erised, I look into her and see everything I've ever desired."
Rath Dé ort

[–] ikanboy 18 years ago

I suppose, in America, Marie could call it rape and have numerous women's groups agree. She did resist initially, but she was never held down to the point that she couldn't resist. Also as we know her character was extremely explosive and violence prone, and had she really been resisting her BF would have had to attack her physically to overcome her strength.

No, her resistance came from her total ambivalence at finding herself attracted to a man, who she had convinced herself she despised. Her character never understood the complexities of her rage towards men. Perhaps she was a victim of incest; perhaps she was rejected by her father! I think her rich bf was attracted to her wildness and her stated rejection of him. He was used to getting what he wanted and pursued her to tame her, then he lost interest in her! Isa saw it coming. Marie couldn't stand the fact that Isa understood something about her, because she felt contempt for her, or for anyone who had an advantage on her. Reaction formation.

[–] vanillainflux 17 years ago

adding a little bit to this..
some women (and men) need to be placed in the position of "victim" to truly allow themselves to let go (take bondage/sm etc which AREN'T the same thing as this, but follow a similar reasoning)
just like the rich bf had only one aim, to tame his wild filly (can't believe i'm using that word..anyway) and when she started getting all kissy-cuddly, well forget it.
in fact i'm really starting to see the sm thing come into play now in my mind.
i wanted to ask..what's reaction formation?

it's a dirty world Reich, say what you want

[–] jocurtis28 17 years ago

She liked to play rough and her playmate knew that.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10337) a year ago

I honestly think it depends upon her judgement afterwards. If it starts without consent it's by definition rape. If into the act she decides she wants it, then it is no longer rape.

She could bring charges of rape and be legally entitled to do so. But if after the fact she concludes it was consensual, it's more an issue of late consent, so to speak. I suppose one can consent at any time, just like they can say no at any time.