As a child of the ’90s, I can’t help but reminisce about the comedies that defined our generation. However, revisiting some of these iconic films today, I find myself cringing at certain love scenes that seemed to be more awkward than amusing. One such scene that stands out is the love scene between Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler) and Vicki Vallencourt in “The Waterboy.
Cringe humor, as demonstrated in shows like “The Office” and others, has an uncanny ability to etch love scenes deeply into a viewer’s mind. Sexual encounters are ripe with possibilities for complications, misunderstandings, and poor choices. Intimate exchanges are a veritable minefield of potentially awkward moments, and skilled screenwriters and directors can effectively exploit this minefield to create scenes that stand out.
Some scenes, though, end up being a little too memorable, and that’s when they become something that forces a cringey feeling. There are cringey sex scenes on our list that were probably always supposed to be mortifying (looking at you, “American Pie”) and there are cringey sex scenes on our list that just haven’t aged well (somehow also “American Pie”). We combed through comedies of the ’90s to find 11 love scenes that inspire acute second-hand embarrassment for anyone that’s craving a little cringe.
The bedroom scene in Scream was very dark
In the 1996 film “Scream”, the initial viewing of the sex scene between Sidney (Neve Campbell) and her boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ulrich) isn’t overly awkward. The movie’s protagonist is dealing with intense emotions, as it’s the first anniversary of her mother’s murder, and a series of murders are happening in their town. Despite her sorrow, Sidney attends a gathering at a friend’s house. She slips away from the party with Billy, seeking comfort and to make amends for wrongly accusing him of her mother’s death. In a manipulative move, Billy employs Sidney’s remorse to persuade her into experiencing sex for the first time. The scene is not exceptionally distressing; it consists of them kissing on a bed before the screen goes dark.
In one of the most shocking revelations in the “Scream” series, Sidney discovers that the person behind the recent murders is none other than Billy. This twist is not only deeply distressing for Sidney but also serves as a chilling reminder of the kind of partner one might encounter in high school who undergoes a drastic transformation once intimacy enters their relationship. Re-watching the intimate scene between Billy and Sidney, given his true nature, is excruciatingly awkward. The first person with whom Sidney had sex turns out to be a ruthless killer, one who also brutally assaulted and murdered her mother. It’s nearly unbearable to watch this scene once you know how the story unfolds.
The sex scene in Mighty Aphrodite was upsetting
Woody Allen’s personal life has caused discomfort among many since he separated from Mia Farrow in 1992, after admitting to dating Mia’s adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. Despite this controversy, Allen continued his film career and maintained a respected professional standing until 1997 when they got married. However, in 2017, allegations by Dylan Farrow, one of Allen’s adoptive daughters, claiming that he abused her as a child resurfaced, gaining widespread media attention. Since then, Allen and his movies have faced boycotts and may be challenging for viewers familiar with the details.
Back in 1995, I found myself immersed in the world of “Mighty Aphrodite,” where I, as the character Lenny, navigated the complexities of life. As a middle-aged man with an adopted genius son, I became fixated on finding his biological mother, a woman named Linda, brilliantly portrayed by Mira Sorvino. Upon learning that she was working in a less than ideal profession, my determination to help her soared.
The day after, Lenny returns to his wife and gradually grows distant from Linda. The age gap of 30 years between Woody Allen and Mira Sorvino is quite apparent. Viewing their intimate moments is undeniably uneasy, and it’s disheartening to witness Linda being discarded by Lenny, as she has been discarded by numerous others in her life, following their brief encounter.
This one-night stand in Groundhog Day was despicable
The film “Groundhog Day” can be seen as a story where a grumpy man discovers life’s lessons. Known for his endearing gruffness, Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a meteorologist who initially comes off as an ungrateful and condescending individual. In the 1993 movie, we see that Phil is actually a very unpleasant person, disregarding those around him and failing to appreciate the good things in life. However, after being trapped in a time loop, reliving Groundhog Day repeatedly, Phil eventually transforms into a more compassionate individual through his affection for Rita (portrayed by Andie MacDowell). During his experiences within the time loops, he unfortunately carries out some rather despicable acts.
In a different loop, Phil, enjoying his freedom from consequences, contrives an intimate encounter with a lady he randomly meets in Punxsutawney. One time, he inquires about her name, alma mater, and a teacher’s name, leaving her perplexed. The following day, he encounters her once more and manipulates the situation by pretending to be a former schoolmate, using the information he obtained earlier. This act feels more like exploitation than humor, as it appears Phil is abusing his position to deceive another person. It’s particularly awkward when he persistently calls this woman Rita during their night together.
The seduction in Clueless was pure cringe
Titled “Clueless,” this story revolves around Cher, a young woman (portrayed by Alicia Silverstone) who is frequently out of the loop. Despite leading a privileged life with regular massages, elegant dinners, and shopping excursions in Beverly Hills, Cher is typically kind-hearted. However, as the title suggests, she’s also quite oblivious. While Cher possesses many admirable qualities, grasping subtle contexts isn’t one of them.
Midway through the 1995 film, Cher starts to have feelings for her recent acquaintance named Christian. Christian is well-dressed and incredibly charming, making it understandable why she finds him attractive. However, during the ska party, it’s evident that he pays more attention to the handsome men nearby rather than Cher (who is quite captivating on her own). Unaware of this, she decides to invite Christian over when her father won’t be home.
In a more straightforward and conversational manner: Cher is eager to experience intimacy for the first time with Christian, but every time she subtly suggests it, he changes the subject or engages in another activity. During a moment when they’re lying on her bed, Cher tries to be seductive towards Christian, only to trip and fall to the floor instead. The situation becomes awkward, and it’s even more uncomfortable for the audience because we understand that Christian is gay, and Cher’s persistent romantic advances are hitting a brick wall. Ironically, the kissing scene with her ex-stepbrother feels less awkward in comparison.
The love scene in Can’t Hardly Wait was embarrassing
1990s classic teen party film “Can’t Hardly Wait” showcases a group of individuals who have been classmates for years, as they grapple with the reality that their ties will soon be severed as they move on from high school. This transition offers an opportunity to cultivate and preserve the relationships they value, while also revisiting past connections and engaging in fresh interactions.
In a nutshell, Denise (Lauren Ambrose), the movie’s main character Preston’s (Ethan Embry) close confidante, has a somewhat sour and reluctant image in high school, preferring solitude over group activities. Despite her reservations, she agrees to attend a large graduation party hosted by a classmate due to Preston’s persuasion. However, she is soon left alone at the party, and following an unpleasant encounter, she decides to retreat to the bathroom for some privacy. Misfortune strikes when she discovers that her old elementary school acquaintance Kenny (Seth Green) is already there, trapped due to a faulty door handle.
Denise is understandably repulsed by Kenny, a young man who has appropriated black culture in order to appear cool and imposing. But while trapped together, the two of them explore their past relationship and, despite their gross circumstances and Kenny’s mortifying affectations, have sex in the bathroom. How Denise is able to be repulsed by Kenny and seduced by him in one evening is something many viewers may never understand.
The tryst in American Beauty is even creepier now
Since Kevin Spacey faced multiple sexual misconduct allegations in 2017, many people now view movies with him on the cast list quite differently. However, the film “American Beauty” from 1999 had a strong unsettling vibe even before Spacey’s controversy emerged. The movie tells the story of Lester (Spacey), a middle-aged suburban father grappling with the discontent that often arises during this stage of life. His relationships with his wife, Caroline (Annette Bening), and daughter, Jane (Thora Birch), are already strained, and they become even more complicated when Lester displays an awkward, inappropriate attraction towards his daughter’s best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari).
In the finale of “American Beauty,” Lester seemingly succeeds with Angela. Given her strained relationship with her friend and her own bouts of existential unease, she seems to reciprocate his feelings, nearly leading them to an intimate encounter. However, the scene carries an unsettling tone due to the significant age difference between them. To put it bluntly, it’s deeply discomforting to see a middle-aged man pursuing what appears to be underage sexual involvement, especially considering Lester’s previous actions. Fortunately, Lester halts their interaction upon discovering that Angela is inexperienced, contrary to her claims. Regrettably, the disturbing nature of this scene leaves an indelible impression on the viewers.
The sex scene in Booty Call was so awkward
1997 film “Booty Call” primarily focuses on four friends – Rushon, Bunz, Lysti, and Nikki – as they navigate an evening in search of essentials and secure locations for intimacy. Among these friends, Bunz (Jamie Foxx) and Lysti (Vivica A. Fox) serve as the film’s comic duo, adding humor and lightness to this sex-themed comedy. As the story unfolds, they encounter each other, sparks fly, and their chemistry rapidly intensifies, resulting in passionate moments and efforts to be intimate together.
In the end, Lysti and Bunz wind up at a hospital (due to some mischief), searching for an unoccupied room. Unluckily, they discover a patient with a full-body cast in the very same room. Impulsive Lysti, desiring to take her relationship with Bunz to the next level, even checks the patient before deciding it’s safe to start their intimate moments.
In an attempt to clarify why a sex scene feels uncomfortable when it occurs in a hospital room occupied by other patients, let me rephrase: The movie creates a sense of discomfort as the scene unfolds, and it becomes even more cringeworthy due to Bunz’s premature satisfaction. This leaves Lysti unsatisfied. To add insult to injury, it’s later revealed that the man in the full-body cast who was present in the room had been awake the entire time, further increasing the awkwardness of the situation.
The fembot scene in Austin Powers was gnarly
The movie “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” appears to serve as a platform for Mike Myers to act goofy and socialize with many attractive women. Austin Powers (played by Myers) is portrayed as irresistible to women, but his excessive, unconventional body hair, questionable dental health, and frequent use of sexual innuendos often come across as embarrassing rather than attractive to most viewers. In fact, when Austin meets his new partner, Vanessa Kensington (played by Elizabeth Hurley), she seems just as unimpressed by him as any typical viewer might be.
In certain instances throughout the film, Austin’s amorous exploits might elicit a feeling of secondhand awkwardness. For example, his pursuit of Vanessa on a spinning, circular bed is one such moment. However, the most uncomfortable sex scene occurs near the end when Austin stumbles upon a group of alluring women in feathered lingerie within Dr. Evil’s lair. Easily swayed, Austin finds himself ensnared by their arms and bed, appearing to be enjoying himself immensely. His demeanor can only be described as awkward at best, but his responses toward the fembots pale in comparison to the fembots themselves. The idea of a character creating sexually attractive androids armed with guns that fire from their chests might have been acceptable in 1997, but it now seems like an embarrassing decision on the part of the movie’s creators. Is there anything more uncomfortable than poor taste?
The pillow talk scene in The Big Lebowski was super weird
To certain individuals, “The Big Lebowski” holds significant value, leading to its creation of a unique religion. This 1998 Coen Brothers comedy places an ordinary, laid-back character into intricate circumstances due to a mix-up regarding his identity. The character, referred to as the Dude (played by Jeff Bridges), finds himself in perilous situations repeatedly, not because of his own actions, but because he shares a name with another person.
As a devotee, one aspect of this adventure I can’t complain about is my newfound acquaintance with Maude, the Big Lebowski’s daughter (played by Julianne Moore). Our paths cross when I find myself entangled in her father’s business, and I’m captivated by her charm without even realizing it. Later, she drops by at my place, and before I know it, I’m drawn into a magnetic encounter with her. It’s an awkward realization that I’m so easily swayed by her presence.
It’s their pillow talk, though, that can make someone pull their hair out. He mumbles about his career history, briefly sparking her interest when he mentions the music business, only for her to lose it again when he explains that he was a roadie. These two people are on totally different wavelengths: At one point, Maude asks what The Dude does “for recreation” and at another, The Dude has a nasty coughing fit from smoking. It’s clearly a mismatch, and while that’s what she’s looking for, The Dude is totally in the dark.
The livestream in American Pie was mortifying
It’s almost impossible to pick just one dicey sex scene from 1999’s “American Pie.” From Jim’s (Jason Biggs) intimate moment with an apple pie (an iconic scene that had to be tweaked to dodge an NC-17 rating) to Finch’s (Eddie Kaye Thomas) rollicking prom night with Stiffler’s mom (Jennifer Coolidge), there are lots of scenes that can make someone feel uncomfortable. The most awkward scene in the movie, though, has to be the webcam debacle during Jim and Nadia’s “study session.”
As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it like this:
Besides capturing herself on camera without her consent, Nadia also indulges in an intimate moment with Jim following the persuasion of his friends. It’s rather awkward to observe Jim dancing nude with Nadia and responding too eagerly, but that discomfort intensifies when shots of Jim are alternated with those of his acquaintances witnessing his humiliating encounter.
The love scene in The Waterboy was not sexy
In the 1990s, Adam Sandler carved out a career by portraying unusual characters with distinct mannerisms and accents on “Saturday Night Live,” although he was only a cast member for approximately five years before being let go in 1995 due to low ratings. However, his talent for creating characters didn’t go unnoticed, as he quickly transitioned to Hollywood to produce films. One of his most successful ’90s movies was “The Waterboy,” where Sandler played Bobby, a young man from Louisiana who was homeschooled by his mother (Kathy Bates) and struggled with a severe stammer. Initially working as a waterboy for a college football team, Bobby ultimately becomes a successful linebacker for another team in the 1998 film.
In the movie, Bobby’s stutter is portrayed comically in almost every scene, which might amuse other characters and viewers, but it’s essential to remember that laughing at someone’s struggle with a condition they can’t control is not appropriate. Moreover, his exaggerated Louisiana accent only adds to the character’s questionable depiction on screen.
In a particular scene with his longtime crush, now adult love interest Vicki Vallencourt (Fairuza Balk), Bobby becomes noticeably uncomfortable. When Vicki passionately kisses him (with tongue), Bobby stammers excessively, which is unusual for him throughout the film. Following this, Vicki uncovers her top to reveal her bare chest. Bobby awkwardly replies, “I admire what I’m seeing right now,” causing most viewers to wince.
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2024-10-12 21:30