2. Rape Is Funny (If It's To A Man) - 40 Days And 40 Nights
Sex sells. And it also seems lack of sex sells, because chastity tale 40 Days And 40 Nights managed to rake in a respectable $100 million back in 2002. Giving Josh Hartnett his biggest challenge since having to star in a Michael Bay directed account of an American tragedy, his character Matt vows to give up sex for Lent. And, in the fashion youd expect from a forgettable comedy, he not only has to battle his hormones but the new feelings for Erica, a girl he meets just says after vowing chastity. Insert
Wah, Wah, Wah sound bite here. Despite some lewd run ins he makes it through the period thanks to brutal honesty - in a wholesome move he tells Erica all, who is (a shock to no one) impressed. But just as hes about to complete it his spiteful ex finds out of the vow and to get back at him rapes him while he sleeps through the fortieth night. ... Ahem. This light sexual comedy has just had the protagonist sexually assaulted in the most matter of fact, this is funny way possible. The framing isn't that this is in anyway violating, instead just upsetting that he didn't make it the whole forty days. Whats worse is what comes after; Erica blames him for doing it, mainly angry because he broke the vow rather than cheating on her. What warped reality has this film walked into? I know rape culture tends to work the other way, but how can such a horrific act be viewed as anything other than sick?