Monday, September 22, 2008

Scenes We Love ~ No. 1

by Janine Ashbless



You wanted a surprise? Well it's not a secret that I don't like kissing. But when I came to pick my favourite movie clip for Lust Bites I just had to pick the kiss above from The Whole Wide World.

The film is based upon the real-life relationship between Novalyne Price Ellis (played by Renee Zellweger), a school-teacher and aspiring writer, and Robert E. Howard (played by Vincent D'Onofrio) an established writer for pulp fiction magazines, in the '30s. Yes, that Robert E Howard: the one who wrote the Conan books. (Don't knock him just because he was a genre writer!) Why's it so hot? Because it's one of the very few Hollywood movies that convincingly sees yearning lust from the point of view of the woman. Novalyne is the desirer, not the desiree. She is politely but desperately gagging for the handsome, brilliant, but alarmingly difficult Bob. But he has serious issues, to put it mildly. And this kiss is the closest she gets to turning friendship into the love she wants.

I just love the sense of aching frustration and tragically thwarted passion in this film. It's a real tear-jerker. And this kiss makes my stomach do that funny crampy pain thing. Every time.

10 comments:

Portia Da Costa said...

You'll not be surprised to know that I think this kiss is adorable too, for all the same reasons. Plus the fact that I've had a major crush on Vincent D'Onofrio for several years and he looks awesomely attractive in the role of Bob Howard.

It's a haunting film, but so sad. There's a moment in it - not this one - that always breaks my heart. I'm close to tears now, thinking about it.

Janine Ashbless said...

I had a secret soft spot for this movie well before I joined LB or knew about your passion Portia - and I didn't actually know who the lead actor was. Only when I made the connection did I go - "Oh yeah. She's right! He's seriously cute!"

Vincent Copsey said...

Isn't it curious how we're all different. I like kissing, but this clip does nothing for me. I have to admit to not having seen the film, so maybe I'd feel differently if I was seeing it in context...

But that's just it with erotica, you have to understand the context, and the mad jumble of emotions that lead up to the point of passion.

The film certainly sounds interesting. I'll have to look out for it.

Megan Kerr said...

I just watched it again - that bit at the beginning, where she leans forward, so tentative, and his whole face freezes and stiffens, and then he just - falls sideways into the passionate kiss. Even without the buildup, that makes my stomach lurch and my head spin. Something about the way his mouth opens before it even meets hers, too... mmmmmmmmm, a thousand fantasies & storylines could be arranged around that moment. Not having seen the film, I shall now spend lunchtime making up my own secret history for the couple. (Oh - damn. You told me. Never mind. I shall invent his issues, instead. Always so maddening, fancying someone with issues and being forbidden by polite society to shake them violently yelling 'Get over yourself already!')

Madeline Moore said...

Ah yes, a good kisser with issues. My kinda guy.

I love seeing Vido look so good, he's been pretty scruffy on Law and Order CI, though perhaps with the new season he'll have started shaving again. I love the look of a man who gets a four o'clock shadow, just around 4:00, if he's shaved that day...

I get a kick out you, Janine, being a writer of erotica who doesn't like kissing. Sorta like a doctor who doesn't like the sight of blood - which I have deduced is the case with my doctor.

In honour of you, Janine, I am not going to write anymore Dom/me type 'spitting in her mouth' bits in my novels. I'd hate to think anything in my novels might make you gag. >gag joke here<

For a little while today I thought it was Friday and it seemed the week had gone by rather quickly.
Ah the joys of working at home...

Thanks for launching our newest feature - scenes we love - so romantically.

Janine Ashbless said...

Thank you Madeline!

That's me - an old romantic. No, seriously. Stop laughing you guys...

Oh, the spitting thing. Can you get a porn film nowadays without someone having their nether-bits spat on? Please?! Or worse - the regurgitation of *********************************************************

(This sentence deleted in the interests of romance, and anyone eating while they read this.)

Megan Kerr said...

SPAT on?

See? This is why I don't watch porn - it puts me off sex.

Angell said...

I LOVE kissing. It's my favourite thing to do and the criteria by which I tend to judge all my lovers (past and present).

That being said, this is one of the hottest kisses I've ever seen.

Now I HAVE to see this movie. And then find someone who knows how to kiss like that.

Unknown said...

Actually, in my family I'm known as "she who does not liked to be touched-at all"
they think it's hilarious that I write erotica.
I reckon it's because I'm such a fabulous voyeur...
and yes I do have 4 kids but mr. Kate Pearce is the only exception to that rule-that's why he's a keeper. (tmi I know)
Lovely kiss Janine!

Janine Ashbless said...

Whoo-ooh! I've made Angell happy with a kiss! Glad I've spread the word about this film. Cheers everyone!