Eyes Wide Shut, Part 2, and the Sexiest Man Alive in 1999 (Erotic 90s, Part 21)
Oct 24, 2023
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Explore the aftermath and controversy surrounding the release of Eyes Wide Shut, Richard Gere's career and the impact of his roles on Hollywood's portrayal of sex, the co-opting of indie films by the mainstream industry, the influence of the production code on movies in the 90s, and the shift towards a sexless portrayal of adult characters in Hollywood.
Eyes Wide Shut faced a backlash from critics and censorship challenges, highlighting debates about artistic integrity and societal attitudes toward sex in film.
Richard Gere's career reflects the changing cultural climate and evolving perception of sexuality in Hollywood, challenging societal norms and expectations.
The release of Eyes Wide Shut and the film Unfaithful symbolize a cultural shift towards repression and fear of desire, marking a retreat from overt sexuality and a focus on themes of infidelity and secrecy in the film industry.
Deep dives
Eyes Wide Shut: Controversy Surrounding the Film's Rating and Release
The release of Eyes Wide Shut, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, was marked by controversy. Despite being marketed as the sexiest movie ever made, the film received mixed reviews and faced challenges from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). While some critics found it a deeply inquisitive consideration of sexual relationships, others criticized its lack of eroticism. The MPAA required the alteration of a scene featuring a masked orgy to secure an R rating, leading to debates about artistic integrity and censorship.
Richard Gere: From Sex Symbol to Controversial Figure
Richard Gere, known for his roles in American Gigolo and Pretty Woman, faced a backlash during the 1990s. As his celebrity grew, rumors circulated about his alleged involvement in a sexual act involving a gerbil, highlighting society's discomfort with overt male sexuality. Gere's activism and outspokenness on political issues further alienated him in Hollywood. Despite ups and downs in his career, Gere continued to challenge societal norms and expectations, making him a notable figure in the evolving landscape of Hollywood.
Shifting Cultural Climate and Perception of Sexuality in Hollywood
The controversy surrounding Eyes Wide Shut and Richard Gere reflects a changing cultural climate and the evolving perception of sexuality in Hollywood. As the 90s came to a close, there was a shift towards more conservative values and a growing divide between serious art films and crowd-pleasers. The MPAA's rating system faced criticism for its subjective guidelines, and the stigma surrounding NC-17 films made it difficult for movies to depict sexuality seriously. These challenges affected the careers of actors like Gere and sparked debates about artistic expression and societal attitudes toward sex in film.
The Reception of Eyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shut faced negative reception due to a mismatch between audience expectations and the film's marketing. The media hyped up the sexual aspects of the film, creating a false perception that it would be explicit and titillating. As a result, viewers were disappointed, confused, and even angry when the film turned out to be a complex exploration of sexual obsession and jealousy. The negative word-of-mouth and low cinema scores contributed to its box office flop.
Unfaithful: Repression of Desire
The film Unfaithful, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, reflects a cultural shift towards repression and fear of desire. It portrays the destructive potential of unchecked desire and the consequences it has on the characters' lives. The movie is a stark contrast to the more sexually liberated films of the 90s, depicting a repressive and hollowed-out America. Unfaithful signals a retreat from overt sexuality and a move towards a more sexless film industry, focusing on themes of infidelity, secrecy, and the facade of perfect families.
In part 2 of the Eyes Wide Shut story, the movie is finally unveiled, and critics are divided on its quality, and the use of digital effects to evade an NC-17 rating. Where could Hollywood eroticism go from here? We’ll wrap up the Erotic 90s story with some thoughts on Richard Gere’s two-decade journey from American Gigolo to becoming PEOPLE Magazine’s 1999 “Sexiest Man Alive,” and other ways in which time and politics combined to make that which was once transgressive harmlessly mainstream.
