Film watched in class- Lady Chatterley (2007), Pascale Ferran
Lady Chatterley is a film that explores sexuality and nature. The owner of the Wragby estate, Sir Clifford Chatterley, is left disabled from an injury sustained in WWI. Clifton gives his wife, Constance, an encouraging speech on the forest filled grounds of their estate. He suggests that she find lovers who can please her in ways Clifton cannot. Constance is outraged at the thought of this and rejects the idea. As she later explains in her diary, "Sexual desire is the worst form of egoism."
The season is fall and the grounds of Wragby are introduced with shots of the clouds, the tops of trees and finally, Constance herself. This visually sets up the themes of the film, that of nature and the body.
In stark contrast to her slender form amongst the trees, we hear Clifton's mechanical wheelchair roaring over the classical film score. His presence is one separate from nature and humanity although his motives in the beginning seem more noble.
When asked to see the gamekeeper, Parkin, one afternoon, Constance stumbles upon the man himself bathing by the side of his cabin. Constance is extremely embarrassed and intrigued. She quickly finds a place where she can collect herself and still examine the gamekeeper's form.
Later that night Constance prepares for bed, which is located in a separate room from her husband. She sees herself in a mirror and undresses. Constance considers her naked body for a moment and then puts on her nightgown and goes to bed. In the middle of the night she wakes from a terrible dream and clutches her chest. Perhaps she dreamt of the gameskeeper and is physically affected by these new ideas of desire.
As Constance explores the grounds, where she seems to walk almost daily, she decides to spend time at Parkin's cabin in order to enjoy nature. She explains to him that it is beautiful and peaceful at the clearing where the cabin is and while he labors she sits back and relaxes.
Time passes and Constance and Parkin become more friendly. A pivotal moment occurs when they are tending to the newborn chicks in a chicken coop. As Constance holds a chick in her hand she remarks on how trusting it is and she begins to cry. She sees an admirable and natural quality of trust, so second nature to such a young being. However it is an aspect that she is separated from as she is not in touch with her sexuality. She merely flirts with it by enjoying nature on her walks around the forest which in A.O. Scott's review of the film describes as, "the sensuality of sunshine, wildflowers and fresh air." But she has never before allowed access to the natural aspects of her own body. This is where Constance and Parkin connect and quickly have sex in the cabin. Their affair has just started.
An interesting aspect of their courtship is the formality of their sexual experiences in the beginning. They enter the cabin and do not disrobe. He only removes her stockings and underwear and the event lasts only a few awkward minutes. With each time they have sex, they ironically become more open to intimacy. A. O. Scott describes this journey as one that shows "how sexual chemistry can turn into love." Their removal of clothes is ritualistic and more is revealed with each interaction.
This slow reveal of each others bodies shows their strengthening bonds and trust for each other. Parkin is skeptical that Constance would find his body as appealing as he finds hers to be. Constance assures him that she has the desire to touch him. The night before Constance leaves on a vacation she asks to see him fully naked in front of her before he extinguishes the lights. This indulgence is a far cry from the Constance the audience is originally introduced to, proclaiming that, "Sexual desire is the worst form of egoism."
Another important moment occurs when Constance runs naked through the field and forest while it rains. She cries out to the skies and dances around freely. Parkin is infected by her joy and does the same. When they reenter the cabin they make crowns of leaves and branches. They decorate themselves with flowers all over their nude bodies. Their appearance and king and queen of nature is reminiscent of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They are able to return to a state where Adam and Eve were without shame. The pair are openly experiencing nature with no embarrassment towards their sexuality. It's a scene depicting a true marriage between nature and sex.
-Claudia
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