1. “Harry and Sally” (1989)
Probably the most famous orgasm in film history – and the scene that left men with bent egos and women with empowerment grins worldwide. In public, in the middle In a restaurant, Sally (Meg Ryan, who became a superstar thanks to this scene) proves Harry (Billy Crystal) how easy it is for women to irritably pretend an orgasm – and how naive the man falls for it.
And although Ryan doesn’t skimp on exaggerated facial acrobatics, her film orgasm is refreshingly different from most of the female highlights á la Hollywood – if only because Sally leaves no doubt that she is the one who controls the lust Hand that has control of its sexuality and that refuses to look stupid out of the (bed) linen post coitum. In 1989 that wasn’t a matter of course – and sometimes it isn’t today.
Speaking of 1989: Allegedly, quite a few viewers left the cinema because they were so embarrassed by the scene. Ryan himself felt no shame while shooting. On the contrary: she herself had the idea for the scene and … well … just groaned. The enthusiastic director Rob Reiner had his star made and the camera rolled.
Legendary to this day (and ennobled with numerous pop-cultural references in recent years) is of course the reaction of the lady at the next table: “I want exactly what she had!”
You can borrow and buy “Harry and Sally” on Amazon Prime.
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