9 Movies With Way Too Much Gratuitous Nudity

7. The Master

Paul Thomas Anderson confused audiences and critics alike with his follow-up to the Academy Award nominated There Will Be Blood, 2012's The Master.

The story concerns the relationship between Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a character modeled after Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and his disciple, a degenerate drunk Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix); the duo have a tumultuous relationship, with Dodd attempting to cure Freddie of his chronic drinking and violent outbursts via his self-help system known as "The Cause", but ultimately failing to save Freddie from himself.

The Master can be interpreted as a symbolic work, with Dodd representing the rational super-ego to Freddie's bestial Id. Freddie is an untamable force driven by his basest desires, and Anderson does not shy away from showing Freddie acting on his impulses, from making love to a sand sculpture of a woman, to numerous sexual liaisons, to one particularly bizarre scene that earns The Master a spot on our list.

During a party one of Dodd's disciples throws for him, Dodd leads the partygoers in a sing-along while Freddie watches from the sidelines; normally this wouldn't be anything to write home about except that Freddie imagines all the female partygoers with their clothes off, including Dodd's pregnant wife, played by Amy Adams.

While it could be argued that this scene is justified thematically because it illustrates Freddie's feral nature and Dodd's lecherous tendencies, it goes on for way, way too long, playing out in real time along with the music. Even though I consider The Master a masterpiece, I have to admit this scene crosses the line from art to exploitation.