MovieChat Forums > Loving Annabelle (2007) Discussion > lesbianism is no excuse!

lesbianism is no excuse!

posted 16 years ago by beatnik_chik
36 replies | jump to latest

Two criticisms:
1) How could this girl be seventeen!? She looks like a very polished 24-29 year old! Not only that, but her actions are way too mature... particularly in the scene where she hugs the teacher at the beach house.
2) I hate movies where people don't seem to have control over their actions! A 32 year old teacher having sex with a 17 year old student WTF!? If that were to happen in a movie about a male teacher and his female student (or even a male teacher and his male student) people would be outraged. I am still outraged. I think that the teacher should know better, as should any responsible adult who is considering taking advantage of a child (or in this case, a 17 year old who is sexually precocious).

I want to have sex with people all the time... I just have enough self control and common sense not to do it!

In my opinion, this movie would have been 100 times better had the relationship been struck between a young teacher's aide, or maybe even a candidate for the monastic life, and the teacher. The student-teacher relationship just makes it seem so trivial and frivolous to me.

[–] RhondaWeasley 16 years ago

I want to have sex with people all the time... I just have enough self control and common sense not to do it!

I'm sure there were plenty of Lesbians that wanted to have sex with Simone, but unlike this 17 year old Lesbian they weren't pushing her buttons everyday. And when you're as DEEPLY sexualy repressed as Simone, you are going to break when a sexy young adult (yes, young adult, the character was suppose to be knocking on 18's door) is keeping after you. If she had been in a healthy relationship with a person she found desirable she would have easily been able to put off Annabelle's feelings as that of a silly girl with a crush, but because Annabelle made herself an object of desire that was available her resolve broke. Having sex with Annabelle was stupid of her, but ultimatly the experience was freeing because she would no longer be in a place of denying who she was.

It was a character jouney in which, unfortunatly, Annabelle was a pawn. In the end she had no real serious arc or struggle. Teens falling for (and even persuing) their teachers is not new. Simone's struggle with herself is what led to an irresponsible act. And it shows the things that can happen when we allow society to beat us into repressing truths about ourselves. By denying herself the oppotunities of a healthy relationship she found herself in a (possibly) unhealthy one.

Rhonda Weasley

[–] kat1073 15 years ago

Well sucks to be you.
Its happened with male or female teachers too, I'm sure.
I thought it was super hott.

[–] TheJesusAndMaryChain 13 years ago

The average age of consent in most european countries is 16...some countries (maybe Spain?) are As young as 13. Americans have a huge bug up their ass about sex. If this catholic school was in England, nobody would care.

- Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine

[–] perlmanFamily 13 years ago

MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF THE GIRL WAS 17 OR 50.

TEACHERS SHOULD NOT HAVE SEX WITH THEIR STUDENTS.

IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED, LIVE WITH IT, WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE NOT YOUR STUDENT, OR SWITCH CLASSES.

ANY STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIP IS BY DEFINITION SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND IS AGAINST THE CODE OF ALL SCHOOLS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS GAY OR STRAIGHT.

I HAVE TAUGHT AT SEVERAL LEVELS AND HAD MAJOR CRUSHES ON STUDENTS - BUT NEVER SLEPT WITH ANY - THOUGH I WANTED TO.

I KNOW THAT HONOR IS NOT AN IMPORTANT WORD THESE DAYS AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY EXAMPLES OF FAMOUS STUDENT-MENTOR ROMANCES IN HISTORY, BUT THIS IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT FROM A PEDERAST HAVING SEX WITH A CHILD - READ YOUR NABIKOV, LOLITA WAS ASKING FOR IT!

HELOISE AND ABELARD DID NOT FARE WELL DESPITE THEIR FAMOUS LOVE.

[–] michelle-paris 13 years ago

A problem with your CapsLock ?

-------------------
Il y a pire que le bruit des bottes : le silence des pantoufles.

[–] TheJesusAndMaryChain 12 years ago

You have issues.

- Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin33 10 years ago

Annabelle was not a Pawn, nor do I believe she had a Crush on Simone.

The movie deconstructs what people assume of a Student Teacher Romance. There is fact no moment in the relationship when Annabelle isn't in complete control. if anyone is taken advantage of it's Simone.

"There's no art to this war Spencer"-Alison DiLaurentis

[–] flygirl2007 16 years ago

To be quite frank, as a girl only just out of high school for a year, I can tell you that the whole student teacher/student relationship is not uncommon. Obviously, it isn't flaunted, but I know plenty of people who have had sexual relations with their teachers. It isn't as outrageous as you think. And many of the students I know were around 16 when it happened. It just isn't reported. While very illegal...to me, people look into age more than they should.

Sure, the teacher should know better. 'Should' being the operative word. But Simone's sexuality has been repressed for a while (however long she had been dating that guy) and all of the sudden here comes this lovely young woman who is practically smitten with her? Not only is it an ego boost, but it is...freeing. Annabelle helps her gain her freedom.

Even if it is in a very unorthadox manner.

[–] timothywhitfield 16 years ago

Yea... it is very common. Not saying its 'right'. Hell, I'm not even saying its 'wrong' but its not uncommon. The movie is pretty realistic overall.

My Movie: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YeM_1nCUWOI

[–] BrknHrtd 16 years ago

Who is saying she is 17? The paper at the beginning shows that she is a troubled girl and been in and out of schools. We were all just assuming she was 17 because she's a senior. But she might have been 18. It's a rough one to call.

And unfortunately, because her mother was a state senator, she probably had to grow up before her time. Yes, her actions were mature but most likely not in to her.

[–] heatherrr78 16 years ago

Yeah, no matter what the teacher will look bad. However, there was a very good chance that annabelle was only a few months from turning 18 so to say that it's disgusting and horrible is slightly far fetched.

It's odd to think that two people who are 16 and 18 can legally be together. Then one year later it'll be illegal and then the year after it's legal again.

And yes, the age gap was quite large and annabelle's character didn't act 17 but that was what was so great about her character. Simone kept catching herself because Annabelle was so mature and convincing.

[–] BrknHrtd 16 years ago

Yea, unfortunately the teacher will always look bad. But sometimes (been there) you just can't help wanting want you want. You can only catch yourself for so long before your will takes over and you just go for it.

[–] escapereality 16 years ago

Could someone explain, I dont understand this post:

'It's odd to think that two people who are 16 and 18 can legally be together. Then one year later it'll be illegal and then the year after it's legal again. '

I thought any sex with anyone, at any age after age 16 was ok.

[–] yourroyalshunkyness 16 years ago

Their relationship wasn't just about sex. There was love too.

It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird

[–] biggestfitz 14 years ago

I'm not sure there was really love. Unfortunately, the movie never got beyond lust which there certainly was. Who knows, it might have become love eventually, but we never really got to find out.

Best Wishes,

Fitz

[–] spotlightne 14 years ago

Annabelle was supposed to be 17, yet she looked 30. The teacher looked about 48. It's a joke casting.

[–] klawbie 16 years ago

I think the laws vary from state to state, but for the most part (and in the state of Pennsylvania) an adult more than four years older than a minor cannot legally have sex with that minor. So actually, as long as a couple is not more than four years apart, it is never illegal to have sex. The example the posted was using is actually not true. A better example would be a 12-year-old and a 17-year-old could legally have sex, but once the 17-year-old turns 18, it would be illegal for another five years, until the 12-year-old turns 18. At least this is the law in Pennsylvania (but I think it is pretty universal).

[–] hakan_lovdahl2 11 years ago

At least this is the law in Pennsylvania (but I think it is pretty universal).

So the laws are universal.. (Giggle)..
I was born and rasied in Sweden. Here the legal age of having Sex is 15.
However in Europe sex is not concidred a crime to begin with.
The law would never be inforced unless an actual crime is commited. Like 1 party taking advantage of the other.
If i call the police and say that my friend who is 19 is having a relationship with a 14 year old girl they'd ask: So are they a coupple? And if it turns out they are and no one is getting hurt the matter would never be brought to court.
Legal or not.
On a side note women become able to bare children at the age of around 13. So nature thinks its ok to start having sex then. I know the bible don't agree.. but it dosent agree on a lot of things i find makes life worth living.
Not saying i think we should all start early. Its better to wait. Teenagers getting pregnat is a growing problem in the western world. And we're not ready emotionally to raise children at that young age.

But please stop looking at age after the laws written in Pennsylvania..
Love will always win in the end and if it leads to sex.. its natural.

[–] nobodies666 11 years ago

and gay should be legalized. and consensual sex acts are ok. characters in LA didnt want to get caught. nor did they deserve to

[–] scorpiascorpio 7 years ago

So actually, as long as a couple is not more than four years apart, it is never illegal to have sex. The example the posted was using is actually not true. A better example would be a 12-year-old and a 17-year-old could legally have sex, but once the 17-year-old turns 18, it would be illegal for another five years, until the 12-year-old turns 18.

There isn't a state in the entire union that makes it legal for anyone to have sex with a person under the age of 13, that includes Pennsylvania! In fact, there are still a few states that could land a person in death row for raping a child under 14 and younger. So your "better example" is wrong. Sounds like you need to read or re-read Pennsylvania's Age of Consent laws.

[–] delace-2 13 years ago

to answer your question

19 years old you are an adult. 18 and under, you are not an adult. so "legally" an 19 year old cannot have a sexual relationship with a 17 year old.

I dont think anyone gets arrested for it unless the parents want to press charges. its rare but its happened.

[–] BimmerDude 13 years ago

Depends where you live. For instance, if you're from Kentucky - anything goes.

[–] slytherin360 15 years ago

da666bears- She is 17, Katherine says in this video:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=1815967

[–] stupiddane 16 years ago

First; I have to say that I have only seen it on youtube, so I am not sure if I have missed some scenes or if I have seen some of the deleted scenes too.

I have problems with this movie. I don’t think that it is perfect. Let’s just say that you can see it a small and inexpensive movie. When that is said, this is certainly a very brave movie. It deserves a lot of credit for that, because it raises questions which are more interesting than normal low budget movies.
There is a ‘grey zone’ in the ages between 15 and 18. After 18 it is not illegal (as far as I know) for a teacher to be involved with a student. Between 15 (the age of consent) and 18 (the legal age) it is okay to lave sex, but not with a teacher. There is still the moral problem with the teacher’s professionalism and the risk of manipulation. So you are old enough to take the consequences of your actions regarding sex – just not with a teacher. In my opinion that is okay, but this movies still shows a beautiful and impossible relations when it is sweetest. And that is of course weird to say, when I understand why it is illegal to have the relationship. I guess the brain says no, but the heart says yes, because they seem right for each other without any of them being manipulating the other.

It is also an interesting question whether I would have seen the movie with other eyes if it where a male teacher. Maybe I subconcisely think that it is more okay when it is a female teacher because there are fever gay couples then straight couples and therefore it is braver of them to stand up against the world. I don’t know. But it is something I ask myself.

I think another great thing with the movie is that it raises the question of teacher/student relationship between two females without the gay theme actually becoming a theme. I mean; a lot of movies with gay relationships handle that relationship itself and not so much other themes which are essential for all couples. This is something we hopefully see more in future movies with gay people because this shows that we have gotten further when it comes to tolerance.

6/10 stars

[–] mr-mart 15 years ago

I know girls at the age between 14 to 18, who only wants relationships with men over the age og 30, or very mature men close to the age of 30. If the story was well enough laid out, I don't think there would be too big a problem with a movie like this, but where the teacher was male. Of course there will always be people (like yourself), who will generally always criticise it, and say it would be pervertet.
A movie like with, but with two males, I can't see why anyone would be outraged by that (more than with this one), except for those guys who like looking at girl on girl action, but thinks that man on man action is the work of the devil and all that

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] WilmaWonka 15 years ago

Okay that subject line made me laugh. I'm totally getting that tatood somewere.

It's official, Azula's crazy

[–] cflr 15 years ago

Does it not bother people that someone in a position of power had sex with a subordinate - and a minor at that? This attitude that it is okay because it was two females is very perplexing.

[–] PocoLoco7 14 years ago

"beatnik" chic, you dont deserve that name!

http://queeravenue.forumotion.com

[–] ju_lia5 14 years ago

I don't mind that it's two women who start a relationship, but the student/teacher thing doesn't sit right with me either. Some lines shouldn't be crossed and teacher/student is one of them.

[–] Rovy 14 years ago

It's a movie....

Yes, it is illegal, and immoral, but that's not the point.

The point of the movie is to get us to understand the two characters, and what leads them to the final breaking point.

How is it any different than say a movie like Silence of the Lambs, or the prequel Red Dragon, getting the audience to understand Hannibal. Does it make what he does any better?