The racy films that closed Hollywood’s ‘orgasm gap’…Babygirl’s X-rated romps to Jennifer Aniston’s steamy bathroom scene
STEAMY romps are a fixture in Hollywood movies these days but many seem to omit one vital element – the female orgasm.
Nicole Kidman‘s latest flick, Babygirl, puts female pleasure front and centre when a woman embarks on an affair after finding she is not sexually satisfied by her husband.
In fact, she had to orgasm so much for the film that she ended up getting tired of the climaxes.
The Oscar-winner said: “It’s like, don’t touch me. There were times when we were shooting where I was like, I don’t want to orgasm any more. Don’t come near me. I hate doing this.
“I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!
“I’m over it. It was so present all the time for me that it was almost like a burnout.”
Nicole follows on from actresses who have paved the way for female-first films featuring sexual pleasure.
Here, The Sun looks back at some of the most memorable ‘Big O’s’ in cinema history.
When Harry Met Sally
In the 1990s, When Harry Met Sally decided to tackle the idea that men could tell when women were faking an orgasm.
The romantic comedy memorably saw Sally, played by Meg Ryan, loudly fake an orgasm while enjoying a sandwich opposite Harry, played by Billy Crystal.
She wants to prove him wrong after he claimed he can tell when a woman is faking a climax – and she gets to embarrass him in a crowded diner at the same time.
As part of the fake orgasm, she moans, gasps, pants and says “oh god” before banging the table and yelling “yes”.
The performance sparks the immortal line from a fellow diner who quips: “I’ll have what she’s having.”
American Pie
Comedy franchise American Pie mainly revolves around teenage lads trying to get laid, but it did feature a key scene with a female character having an orgasm for the first time.
Kevin, played by Thomas Ian Nicholas, has never brought his girlfriend Vicky to climax before in the 1999 film.
Her pal Jessica, played by Natasha Lyonne, expresses her shock that Tara has never experienced an orgasm and advises Kevin to give her one if he wants to have sex.
He is able to do it with the help of a book of sex tips and the scene devoted to female pleasure lasts around 20 seconds.
Black Swan
The 2010 psychological horror film features an unforgettable orgasm scene when Natalie Portman‘s character Nina masturbates.
It shows the ballerina finally having a sexual awakening after being incredibly infantilized by her mother.
The orgasm is so powerful that Nina starts hallucinating that her female rival’s back tattoo is moving.
But comes to an abrupt end when she sees her mother, meaning Nina is left unable to climax.
Film fans believe the scene represents the character’s desire to break free of her mother’s control.
Easy A
Teen comedy Easy A turned on the narrative about women enjoying sex making them slutty.
Emma Stone‘s character Olive is branded a whore by religious students after she is believed to have had sex.
She makes the most of her infamy by pretending to have sex with other high school students.
Her memorable fake orgasm scene sees her bouncing on a bed, wailing and then hitting a wall.
Eventually she accepts that having sex doesn’t really matter and broadcast the truth to her classmates in a webcast.
Friends with Benefits
The 2011 film sees Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake star as pals Jamie and Dylan who start having casual sex together.
Both feel comfortable in telling each other exactly what to do in order to make them climax.
In one scene where Dylan is giving her oral, she tells him off for “trying to dig to China” before instructing him in exactly how he should go about it.
The scene culminates with her screaming as she has an orgasm, thanks to his efforts.
Hilariously, she doesn’t feel the need for instructions when reciprocating the favour.
Bruce Almighty
The comedy, starring Jennifer Aniston and Jim Carrey, is mainly about an ordinary man who is given God’s powers.
But it doesn’t shy away from female pleasure and Bruce, played by Carrey, using his power to give girlfriend Grace, played by Jennifer, an orgasm while she gets ready for sex in the bathroom.
The Friends’ actress is seen writhing and moaning in the bathroom as he talks about how suspense can help bring on a climax.
Monster’s Ball
This bizarre film follows the romance between a prison officer and the wife of a felon he executed – although he is unaware of the connection.
Halle Berry, who plays Leticia, gives an impressive performance of an orgasm during the sex scene with Billy Bob Thornton, who plays Hank Grotowski.
Her portrayal was so convincing that for years, fans believed the actors had actually had sex on set.
But that wasn’t the case and Halle eventually cleared up the rumour last year.
“There’s an urban legend that we really were f***ing. I’ve heard it, and it’s just not true,” Halle said on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast. “It’s secretly driven me mad all these years.”
The Ugly Truth
In the scene from the Romantic comedy, Katherine Heigl’s character Abby is wearing vibrating knickers to a business dinner.
But when the remote for the saucy garment falls into the hands of a child, who has no idea what it is, he wacks up the intensity and she struggles to remain professional as she climaxes.
It has all come about as a bet with colleague Mike, played by Gerard Butler, to help her secure a boyfriend.
Thankfully for Abby, none of the people she is addressing seem to realise what is going on – and merely praise the enthusiasm of her pitch.
Babygirl review
By Dulcie Pearce, The Sun's Film Critic
HER recent roles seemed to confirm Nicole Kidman had been typecast.
From Big Little Lies to The Perfect Couple, Nicole was always playing a wealthy, successful mother with a seemingly idyllic life.
So it was with some apprehension that I approached Babygirl, with Kidman playing Romy, a successful chief executive, who looks immaculate, loves her family and keeps a stunning home.
But within the first few minutes I realised that I needn’t have worried — as I haven’t seen the Oscar-winning actor like this since 1999’s sexy thriller, Eyes Wide Shut.
The opening scene shows Romy and husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) in the throes of passion. Romy appears to be having a great time with her loving husband.
But we quickly realise she was faking it when she races off to another room the moment he’s asleep to watch porn and, well, see to herself.
Romy is a control freak, you see.
Each minute of her life is ordered and perfectly structured — including her sex life.
Which is absolutely no fun at all.
Soon her head is turned by a new, young intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).
He is fearless, with a strangely intoxicating confidence, and is difficult to read.
Romy is fascinated by him and he knows it — telling her in one of their first meetings, “I think you like to be told what to do”.
There starts an intense and erotic affair, with Samuel taking Romy to places she’s never been before.
Both physically and literally.
She visits grotty hotels and illegal raves just to be near him.
She strips on demand and even licks from a saucer of milk on her hands and knees.
But a shirtless dance sequence to George Michael’s Father Figure by Samuel is the most hypnotic of all — and you understand Romy’s unrelenting obsession with this alpha 20-something.
Hell, you will have one too.
Sexy, dark and thrilling, Babygirl is a fresh and tantalising look at the struggles of successful women between the boardroom and bedroom.
Kidman is exquisite in a role that could overwhelm many.
She perfectly balances the power and vulnerability.
But it’s Dickinson who makes this film a watch that will stay with you.
He manages to maintain an air of intrigue and demands attention in every single scene.’
Five stars