The Idea of Erotic Desire

The idea of erotic desire applys mainly for women; they are seen as the object of erotic desire for the male characters and the male audience, even the female members of the audience, as they are forced to look through the male gaze.

However, some films turn this around and use the opposite character as the object of erotic desire: the male.

The effect this has just proves the idea of erotic desire in films.



An example:



James Bond



These films have never been very popular with the female audience, as when they watch them they are forced to look through the male gaze, which is not a very enjoyable experience, which is what watching a film is meant to be. The most famous scenes where this is used the most is when the female character is walking out of the sea:






However, in one of the most recent James Bond films, Casino Royale, they turn the tables, and use Daniel Craig as the object of erotic desire for the female characters and audience. They use the same scene, but by replacing the object of desire with a man it has a completely different effect.



This is evidence for the object of erotic desire idea, as women found the film more enjoyable as they were not being made to watch it as a man. And Casino Royale became the most popular James Bond film with women, ever. I wonder why?? :)