What characteristics do these movies and scenes have that mattered to us? The story is important, the emotions feel real. There is a buildup of passion, tension, and release. The woman’s seduction receives detailed attention. In short, there is romance.
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Romance literature depends upon eras when a lot of clothes, social restrictions and sexual oppression offer the perfect fuel to set off explosive passion. Helena Bonham-Carter and Julian Sands’ longing is by turns sweet and frustrating, and always titilating.
directed by Jean-Luc Godard
If you have a tendency to fall for bad boys, Jean-Paul Belmondo is your type: a liar and a thief and a persistant seducer. The film is set in Paris, a classic and masterpiece of the influential director, Jean-Luc Godard and writer Francois Truffaut.
Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger are just bad for each other, and it’s so good. Lots of erotic play. Lots of sex. A terrible relationship. Not so much a feel-good movie here. You don’t hope they end up together in the end. New uses for the jars of stuff in your fridge.
William Hurt and Kathleen Turner in a steamy southern summer film noir. She seduces him, talks him into murdering her rich, oppressive husband so they can live happily ever after. The seduction and heat and sweat between these characters is more than memorable.
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directed by Jane Campion
A movie pairing Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel made our list of sexiest films? Oh, my, yes. A haunting story of passion and the bargains women make to survive, and to thrive.
6. Atonement
The lovely, epic novel about class, love, jealousy, malice, and regret is made alive with performances by Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, whose passions are doomed from the start. But they do get off to a good start.
directed by John Madden
Find just about anything with a Fiennes in it – Joseph or Ralph – and you’ll likely find a hot film. These boys embody sexuality. Here Joseph is the young Shakespeare, and he’s in love. Gwyneth Paltrow is Viola, a woman mismatched and thwarted. A funny movie with a Shakespearean plot and much of his dialogue. The heat between Fiennes and Paltrow is luscious.
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lena Olin, Juliette Binoche. The cast should be enough to recommend the film. The sexy and disturbing triangle of Milan Kundera’s novel, gorgeous Prague, the Soviet invasion. This is one beautiful, erotic, memorable film.
Diane Keaton and Richard Gere are hot for each other, and the movie made our list of turn ons for that reason. But their obsessions get the best of them, to say the least. Amazing performances by great actors.
directed by Francis Ford Coppola
The wedding scene. We can’t ever forget the wedding scene.
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What movie would you add to the list?



Add Sally Potters “The Tango Lesson” to that list and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”
Question: Why do you refer to yourself in the third person?
Please permit to me clarify this, Yakkity: you’re noticing one of the differences between a Blog Circle post (entirely first person) and a love it! list (3rd person header, usually written by VN staff). Dr. DePree originally shared her list of movies in this blog post, but has since expanded it to fit VN’s love it! list format.
Ah, so Cara. Thank you.
What about The Thomas Crown Affair with Rene Rousseau? She plays such a macho woman in that film and she is hot! Whenever I need a reminder that older women can be sexy, I think of her.
Unfaithful with Richard Gere and Diane Lane – the sex scenes in that novie are unbelieveable!
Didn’t see any of those movies, but “Looking for Mr. Goodbar.” i am still depressed after 20-30 years.
Under the Tuscan Sun and From here to Eternity, Gone with the Wind
Henry and June.
If I live to be 1010 I will NEVER forget the Godfather wedding scene — and I hope I always “tingle” as I still do when I think about it.