I have rarely found a film (probably never, but I'd have to review all the films that I have seen) where explicit depictions of sexual situations have been necessary or even valuable in promoting the story, character development, etc. While I don't doubt that such a scene may exist, I think that in general, studios push boundaries for the purpose of pushing them rather than for the benefit of the film.

For example, if a scene is shown where the actors spend 5 minutes involved in a sexual encounter that shows a tremendous amount of energy, positions, nudity, etc. but where there is no dialog and no plot driving events take place, then what really has happened is that 5 minutes of film time is spent simply on nudity and sex to no developmental purpose. Even if the film is about the results of a sexual encounter (e.g. Knocked Up, About last night, etc.) all that is important in such a scene is that sex occurred and everything else is just eye candy.

Don't get me wrong; eye candy is fun. That said, the relatively modest sexual scenes from before the age of full nudity (dim lighting, a fade to black during kissing or the removal of outer garments) still conveyed that the couple had sex, it may have even had a greater effect because one's imagination was engaged rather than just one's vision, and then the story could continue onwards.

Personally, I think if a sex or nude scene actually drives the story or character development in some way, then fine, have the scene, but pushing boundaries is what little children do when they are growing up. They push the boundaries set by their parents and it is up to the parents to determine where they should stop. The movie industry is like a little child without a parent, so the boundaries keep getting pushed.

-- Jeff

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