As a huge fan of classic literature, I was absolutely thrilled when I heard they were making a new adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice.” Keira Knightley was a brilliant choice for Elizabeth Bennet, and I couldn’t wait to see her bring the character to life on the big screen. But little did I know that this production would be mired in controversy.
Movie kisses have been a significant part of cinematic history since the beginning of Hollywood. Actors have shared passionate moments on screen, leaving indelible marks with some becoming iconic. For instance, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s unforgettable lip-lock in “Casablanca,” and Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire’s unique upside-down kiss in “Spider-Man.” A memorable movie kiss can elevate a film, but it can also create controversy for the actors involved.
Certainly, it’s no secret that people enjoy a satisfying conclusion in movies, particularly those with romantic storylines. Actors’ on-screen chemistry can truly captivate audiences, making these films fan favorites. However, not all cinematic love stories have happy endings. In fact, some on-screen kisses have caused quite the stir and even landed actors in hot water. The following are instances where a movie’s kiss went viral for the wrong reasons, overshadowing the film itself in certain cases.
Blank Check’s underage kiss is still causing controversy
As a gamer, I’d say “Blank Check” is a movie that takes its outlandish concept to the max. In this wild tale, I find myself as 12-year-old Preston Watters, stumbling upon a stolen million-dollar check. With my imagination running wild, I embark on an extravagant shopping spree, pretending to be employed by a wealthy businessman. Hot on my heels is FBI agent Shay Stanley (Karen Duffy), posing as a bank teller and trying to catch me red-handed. Surprisingly, we end up going on a date, and she even shares a kiss with me before the chaos comes to an end.
When the film was first released in 1994, it faced harsh criticism from film critics. One critic from The New York Times remarked that no responsible parent should allow their children to watch this film. The critic’s assessment was accurate as Preston’s antics in the movie are remarkably immature, yet the film adds a touch of romance to his questionable friendship with Shay. In today’s era of streaming content, “Blank Check” has once again sparked debate, as viewers discover and re-evaluate this peculiar film.
Reddit discussions emerged with netizens debating if the film could be produced nowadays, and upon its release on Disney+, certain bloggers criticized the Preston/Shay relationship in “Black Check.” WJBQ voiced his disapproval, stating, “It’s not endearing. It’s manipulative and bizarre!” As the uproar intensified, Bonsall responded via Facebook, expressing his enjoyment of filming the movie and being pleased that it was gaining renewed attention.
Nicole Kidman had to defend herself after kissing a young boy in Birth
Around a decade since “Blank Check” caused unease with its unconventional adult-young co-star dynamic, another film titled “Birth” emerged. In this movie, Nicole Kidman portrays Anna, a grieving widow, ten years after her husband’s demise. As Anna prepares to remarry, an unexpected visitor arrives: a young boy named Sean, played by Cameron Bright. Sean claims to be the reincarnation of Anna’s late spouse. Initially skeptical, Anna is left puzzled when Sean reveals intimate details about her deceased husband and their marriage.
The movie “Birth” drew predominantly unfavorable criticism, mainly due to the discomforting portrayal of Anna’s connection with Bright’s enigmatic character. Jack Mathews from the New York Daily News commented, “It’s cheesy, laborious, unbelievable, and at times, downright unsettling.” Meanwhile, Owen Gleiberman from Entertainment Weekly stated, “I kept wondering, what on earth were the filmmakers attempting to achieve?”
At the Venice International Film Festival, Kidman addressed criticism over her role in “Birth” by explaining, “I wasn’t attracted to making a film where I’d be kissing a ten-year-old boy. Instead, my focus was on exploring the complexities of love.” Additionally, she denied allegations that a controversial version of the movie existed, featuring more suspect scenes between her character and Bright’s.
The head of Paramount was dead against a kiss scene in Harold and Maude
In modern times, the 1971 film “Harold and Maude” is celebrated as a cult favorite, overcoming the initial controversy that surrounded its debut. This movie features an unconventional romance with a significant age difference, but thankfully, their relationship is not against the law. Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon portray the title characters in this unique tale. Harold, a 20-year-old eccentric, has an unusual fascination with death, frequently faking suicides and attending funerals for amusement. At a funeral, he encounters 79-year-old Maude, and despite the vast age difference, they unexpectedly fall in love.
The journey of the film to its premiere was filled with obstacles. Director Hal Ashby encountered disagreements with Paramount executives when they seized editing authority from him, a decision met with resistance from actor Jason Cort. In protest, Cort threatened not to participate in promotional activities for the movie unless Paramount restored creative control to Ashby. Despite this, the studio conceded — but only on the condition that Ashby eliminated a controversial kissing scene between Harold and Maude. According to The Guardian, Robert Evans, Paramount’s head honcho, vehemently disliked the scene, refusing to back down despite Cort’s objections. This incident strained Cort’s relationship with the studio, but they eventually collaborated on projects decades later.
Howard the Duck’s kiss scene still creeps people out
The unconventional film “Howard the Duck,” featuring Lea Thompson as Beverly Switzter and Chip Zien as the title character, didn’t generate the same intensity of backlash as other movies on this list. However, this Marvel production left lasting impacts on the careers of Thompson and Zien for quite some time. In this quirky tale, Howard, a duck from another world (portrayed by Zien), makes his way to Earth where he encounters Thompson’s character Beverly. An unexpected romance blossoms between them as they collaborate to protect the planet from an invasion of extraterrestrial beings.
In 1986, “Howard the Duck” faced great anticipation, but unfortunately, the film bombed. Its disappointing elements included weak humor, disjointed storyline, and Howard’s uninspired appearance. However, it was the awkward romance between Howard and Beverly that proved to be the final nail in the coffin. A scene where they share a tender moment in bed, complete with a kiss, left an indelible mark on viewers, even if it was interrupted.
As a seasoned movie critic who has seen my fair share of box office bombs and critical flops, I can empathize with Thompson and Zien’s experience on “Howard the Duck.” Being an artist and pouring one’s heart into a project is no easy feat. The vulnerability that comes with putting yourself out there for public consumption leaves you open to criticism, both constructive and destructive.
Mid90s caused a big stir with a shocking kiss
Jonah Hill’s first directorial effort, “Mid90s,” was generally praised by critics and audiences. However, this film drew some criticism for an unsettling scene involving a kiss between 13-year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic) and Estee (Alexa Demie) at a party. In the scene, Stevie, who is drinking and smoking with his friends, meets Estee, who is noticeably older than him. Despite their age difference, Estee doesn’t object to Stevie’s presence. Later, she invites him into a bedroom where they engage in sexual activity.
The scene has drawn significant criticism, including within the broader context of the film. The on-screen kiss between an 11-year-old Suljic and another actor during filming sparked intense debate on Reddit. For instance, u/Octoire commented: “Although I place most of the blame on Estee, the actress, for going ahead with something so inappropriate, why isn’t Jonah Hill being held accountable?”
During an interview with Slate magazine, Hill explained that the portrayal of sexuality in the scene was meant to reflect reality in the 1990s. “I wanted to depict it as raw and authentic as possible,” he shared. “In the context of my story, sex wasn’t just about connection between two people. It was a status symbol among a group of guys at that age, and I believe that is a troubling aspect which is why I chose to portray it so explicitly.”
Getting intimate with Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball put Billy Bob Thornton in an awkward position
An on-screen kiss in a movie may not stir up public controversy but can nonetheless have profound effects on an actor’s private life. A notable instance occurred with Billy Bob Thornton during the filming of the 2001 drama “Monster’s Ball.” In this production, Thornton portrays Hank, a prison guard who develops an emotional connection with Leticia (Halle Berry), a widow, while both are dealing with the loss of their respective sons. Their bond deepens when they discover a shared sense of grief, but complications arise as Hank learns that he had been involved in the execution of Leticia’s late spouse.
In terms of finance and critical reception, “Monster’s Ball” was a triumph. However, behind the scenes, it took a heavy toll on Thornton. As reported by Yahoo! News, Thornton confided in The Sun that making the film put a significant strain on his marriage to Angelina Jolie. Thornton expressed that dealing with other people’s challenges can be difficult, but when you’re away from home filming intimate scenes with an attractive actress, it becomes even more challenging.
In her interview with the BBC, Berry referred to the film’s well-known explicit scene as a “kiss of life.” She explained that this pivotal moment significantly influenced the characters’ lives and enabled them to have better futures. The scene was not intended to be sexually provocative in any way.
Pride and Prejudice betrayed Jane Austen with a kiss
For decades, certain films have sparked controversy due to their portrayal of kissing scenes. Keira Knightley became a subject of criticism after she appeared in a movie featuring any kissing at all. Surprisingly, devotees of 19th-century literature can be quite fierce, and they strongly objected to Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet sharing a passionate moment with Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy in the 2005 adaptation of “Pride & Prejudice.”
As a devoted gamer of Pride and Prejudice adaptations, I’ve seen my fair share of reactions. The latest movie version received generally positive feedback, but some purists just couldn’t accept the creative twists. They were particularly infuriated by the unexpected ending in the American edition where Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy locked lips. According to The New York Times, a past leader of the Jane Austen Society of North America voiced his disapproval, stating that “there wasn’t an iota of Jane Austen left in it.” To this day, debates about Keira Knightley’s portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet continue on the Jane Austen subreddit.
The Rise of Skywalker’s divisive kiss was earned according to Daisy Ridley
In more simplified terms: Fans have expressed numerous criticisms towards Disney’s “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, with some criticism being unfairly harsh. However, there are indeed moments in these films that leave audiences feeling puzzled, such as the unexpected kiss between Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) near the end of “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.” Some viewers found this scene to be unnecessary. However, it’s important to note that there are many people involved in the making of these films, so who is responsible for the divisive moment? Fans have accused several individuals throughout production.
Ridley, who frequently faced criticisms about all three films, shared with Variety that the complaints still leave her feeling “disappointed” decades later. She believed that she had given her best to the projects that fans cherished: “I didn’t want them to feel let down by my efforts.” In her perspective, the kiss between Rey and Kylo was a well-prepared farewell scene for her. “At the time, it felt like a goodbye to me, and I believed it was deserved,” she stated. Although Ridley’s stance might not sway many opinions, fans are gradually moving past that moment.
Will Smith almost came to blows with his wife’s Woo co-star over an unplanned kiss
In his memoir “Living in Color: What’s Funny About Me,” Tommy Davidson recounted how a heated argument almost broke out between him and Will Smith on the set of their 1998 romantic comedy “Woo.” The film, which featured Jada Pinkett Smith as Davidson’s love interest, famously concludes with their characters sharing a kiss in the street. However, this ending wasn’t originally planned.
In his memoir, Davidson shared that he and Pinkett Smith weren’t satisfied with the original movie ending. They successfully persuaded the producers to conclude with the dance scene instead. Davidson proposed the idea for their kiss, but he kept it a secret from Pinkett Smith initially. However, I didn’t know this crucial detail: rehearsing a kiss is essential before surprising your co-star with it on set. Will Smith made sure this lesson was etched into Davidson’s memory.
Following the filming of the scene, an angry Smith allegedly confronted Davidson at his trailer. Smith was distraught over his partner being kissed without permission and tempers flared, coming close to a physical altercation. “For a moment, it seemed we were on the verge of a fight,” Davidson wrote in his memoir. “My instincts took over, and I could have lashed out.” Fortunately, Smith’s wife intervened, preventing this particular conflict from escalating further.
Punnagai Mannan’s famous kiss was not consensual
I’m a huge fan of the classic Indian film “Punnagai Mannan,” which was released over 40 years ago. One particular scene between Kamal Haasan and Rekha (Sumathi Josephine), two star-crossed lovers, has sparked controversy time and again. In this emotional moment, their families disapproving of their relationship, they make a desperate decision to jump off a cliff. But before they meet their untimely end, they share an unexpected kiss. It’s a poignant scene that leaves audiences in tears every time, but here’s the catch: it wasn’t consensual. Rekha has revealed in interviews that Haasan took her by surprise with the kiss, and had she known, she would have refused.
In 2020, during an interview with The News Minute, Rekha, who was only 16 at the time of filming, addressed the controversy surrounding a kissing scene from her past. She revealed that she was unaware of its inclusion in the movie. “The scene was filmed without my knowledge,” she stated. “On screen, it didn’t appear unpleasant or aggressive. However, as a young girl, I was not informed about it.” Rekha shared that she no longer seeks an apology for this incident and instead wishes to move past the topic. “I’ve answered these questions numerous times,” she expressed wearily.
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2024-07-22 16:31