Because maybe your desires are more… unconventional than Christian Grey’s.
Un Chant D'Amour (1950)
Directed by: Jean Genet
Written by: Jean Genet
Jean Genet's only film was long banned for its explicit homoerotic content, but the sexiest thing about it is actually two prisoners sharing cigarette smoke through a hole in the wall. It's 26 minutes with no dialogue, but it's absurdly hot all the same.
Cult Epics
Belle de Jour (1967)
Directed by: Luis Buñuel
Written by: Luis Buñuel and Jean-Claude Carrière
Long before Fifty Shades of Grey, repressed Séverine Serizy (Catherine Deneuve) explored her hidden desires for BDSM by adopting the persona of Belle de Jour and working at a high-class brothel run by Madame Anaïs (Geneviève Page).
Criterion
In the Realm of the Senses (1976)
Directed by: Nagisa Oshima
Written by: Nagisa Oshima
Based on a true story, In the Realm of the Senses chronicles the tumultuous affair between former prostitute Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda) and hotel manager Kichizo Ishida (Tatsuya Fuji), culminating in a sex act no one should try at home. (Spoiler alert: He dies.)
Criterion
American Gigolo (1980)
Directed by: Paul Schrader
Written by: Paul Schrader
Sure, Pretty Woman has its moments, but if you really want to see peak Richard Gere (and his penis), check out American Gigolo, in which he plays a narcissistic male escort who is very good at his job.
Paramount Pictures
