I bring you Sarah’s Favorite Female Desire Movies!
1. Dirty Dancing.
I submit that not only is Dirty Dancing a classic, but that it is in fact a feminist movie. The entire relationship between Baby and Johnny is about HER desires, what she wants and when. She has the power to break his heart. Her sexuality is not punished in the film (though admittedly Penny and her sister do suffer for their desires). But Baby knows what she wants, and she goes and gets it, class differences be damned. Plus, she’s studying economics of underdeveloped countries, and wants to join the Peace Corps–in the 60s. I love it. “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
(more below!)
2. Twilight
Our Twitter debates about the SM undertones of Twilight and all other concerns aside, what this story is at heart is a story of a teenage girl’s lust. And the reason I love it is that it reminds me of what it was like to have those all-consuming crushes.
3. Bull Durham
I adore Susan Sarandon in this movie. The way she makes Tim Robbins undress for her, the shamelessness of her sexuality…everything. Plus, though she ended up with Robbins in real life, the chemistry with Kevin Costner is amazing.
4. The Pillow Book
I couldn’t find a very good video from this movie, but it’s all about female desire. Nagiko gets turned on by being written on, and her search to find the man who will write on her leads her to Jerome, played by our lovely Ewan MacGregor. Bonus points for this being one of several movies in which Ewan goes full monty. It’s a pretty depressing flick, but an interesting one.
5. A Very Long Engagement
I am such a sap, and I adore this movie. This is the last scene, so don’t click unless you want to know how the film ends. In other words, if you haven’t seen it…rent it! Audrey Tautou is Mathilde, who has lost her fiancee in the war (World War 1). The movie isn’t about sex so much as it is longing, but it still centers her desire and her attempt to save her love. The final scene, well, if you’ve seen it, click and watch again.
6. Pretty in Pink
Oh, Molly Ringwald. This, I think, of all those great 80s teen flicks, is the one where the female desire is centered. And oddly, it’s because she ends up with Blane and not with Duckie, who’s been patiently Nice Guy-ing it around while she lusts after the rich guy. Because she ends up with the guy she’s wanted the whole film…yeah.
7. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Elizabeth Taylor’s desire fairly melts off the screen in this movie. She has absolutely no shame about what she wants, and her naked need is so hot that you wonder how the hell anyone could resist. Which makes it so much better when he finally gives in…
8. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
So this is more of a Gen-whatever-we’re-calling-it romantic comedy, but I included it because it did something that made me very happy: it centered the female orgasm when the two characters hook up (oh please, that’s not a spoiler, what would be the point of the movie?). For this it goes in my Female Desire Hall of Fame.
9. She Done Him Wrong
Mae West pretty much pioneered the female desire flick. Plus, young Cary Grant!
10. The Virgin Suicides
The book, which is also excellent, tells the story of how teenage boys see girls, as alien, beautiful Others that they can never quite understand. But in the hands of Sofia Coppola, the movie, though still told through the boys’ voices, is instead focused on understanding the desires and dreams of the girls. This one scene is enough to put it on my list, but all in all it’s fascinating.
and one bonus, because while the movie is not about female desire, it certainly stokes mine:
Velvet Goldmine
Do I really need to explain why I included this?
Yes! Agreed 150% on all.
okay, i love that you were able to frame DD as a feminist movie, i’ve been living in shame for my love of this movie as long as i can remember. i even went to theater release in honor of the 20th anniversary and had to fight the urge to wear a wig and glasses.
you rock.
I have zero shame about movies I love. Even Twilight. I am an out and proud lover of sappy movies. Because let’s face it: if we had the perfect feminist example in a movie, it’d be boring as shit.
Dirty Dancing is one of the best movies of all time. No contest.