Are the Oscars Scared of Sex?

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Many films that didn’t perform well at the Oscars shared a similar characteristic: They were candidly engaged with the subject of sexuality.

In summary: Actress Nicole Kidman, known for her role in “Babygirl,” gave an intense performance as a woman exploring her sensual side following an affair with her intern, and Daniel Craig, star of “Queer,” delivered a powerful portrayal of a lovelorn gay man expressing his emotions physically rather than verbally. Despite their efforts, neither actor received a nomination. The critically acclaimed films “Challengers,” led by Zendaya, and “Nosferatu” were also overlooked; the former was expected to compete for its dynamic score and daring screenplay, but failed to get in, while the latter, a visually stunning portrayal of desire near death’s edge, did not receive the Best Picture nomination some anticipated.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that none of these nominations were complete surprises to me. The campaigns for Kidman’s and Craig’s films seemed to stall as they missed out on early recognition, while “Nosferatu” might be the one that lingers in our minds due to its technical nominations and impressive box office earnings.

However, from my point of view, among this year’s contenders, it is “Challengers” that I feel has been most overlooked. Its music and writing captured the thrilling sensation of sexual strategy like no other, making it a truly memorable film experience for me.

In other news, one of the morning’s biggest shocks was discovering that Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis, particularly the latter who is known for her aggressive advocacy, were absent from “The Last Showgirl,” a film about Las Vegas burlesque, similar to “Hustlers” which premiered on the East Coast in 2019. Both films gained popularity but failed to secure recognition at the Oscars.

In the 2019 Oscars competition, Jennifer Lopez was anticipated to win for her portrayal of a cunning stripper outsmarting her clients in ‘Hustlers.’ This performance from a typically glamorous star showed a gritty, honest side we hadn’t seen before. However, Lopez not receiving a nomination implies that this Academy might not favor such raw and unconventional performances. The movie ‘Hustlers’ resembles ‘The Last Showgirl’ in its plot, where the dancer is left out in the cold. In terms of using lust for bitter humor, it shares similarities with ‘Challengers.’

In the pool of nominated movies, “The Substance,” a standout best picture contender, carries an age-old debate through its raw portrayal of human limits: It suggests that violence is often more tolerated in Hollywood than sexual content. Contrastingly, “Anora,” another best picture nominee this year, seems to challenge this notion that the Academy disfavors films dealing with sexual themes. Similar to “Hustlers,” it revolves around a stripper whose physical journey leads her to unforeseen destinations. However, its adventure-like segment in the middle, where it becomes a wild chase through the Brooklyn night, temporarily sets aside sexual content for some time. Instead, “Anora” focuses on the intricate connections between its characters. In “Anora,” as in last year’s critically acclaimed “Poor Things,” sex serves as a tool to initiate the main narrative.

In the productions “Queer,” “Babygirl,” and particularly “Challengers,” sexuality takes center stage, reaching a level that might cause discomfort as viewers are compelled to confront it. While “Challengers” is characterized by exceptional mastery, both “Queer” and “Babygirl” push their main actors into extravagant and revealing portrayals of desire, which can provoke uneasy laughter due to their unabashed directness. The longing of Craig for Drew Starkey, Kidman’s yearning for Harris Dickinson, and Zendaya’s quest to position the two men chasing her on opposite sides of a tennis court not only initiates each narrative but also propels it into uncharted territories. This year’s Oscar nominations are commendably diverse — politically charged (from “I’m Still Here” in best picture to “The Apprentice,” nominated twice for Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong in the acting categories) and encompassing blockbusters like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” as well as lesser-known films such as “The Nickel Boys,” which will now receive additional attention. However, there may still be areas that the Oscars, for the time being, are reluctant to explore.

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2025-01-23 19:23