Sex and the cinema: five great films about sex for grown-ups

With the latest trailer for Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac doing the rounds, many an eyebrow has been raised courtesy of the graphic sex depicted in several scenes. But far from being porn, the admittedly explicit film actually looks to be a dark exploration of sex addiction and the desperation it causes in Charlotte Gainsbourg's heroine, Joe.

Von Trier's sexpic will doubtless make some squirm with discomfort… or perhaps too much comfort - but Lars is by no means the first director to take an open and honest look at sex in cinema.

It's a subject Hollywood tends to avoid dealing with, preferring either to snigger at it in the manner of a teenage boy or over romanticise it much like many a teen girl, and while that's fine, there are films out there for those who prefer to be adult about such matters - here are five of our favourites. (Before you ask - no, Good Will Humping did not make the list.)

Last Tango In Paris
(Bernardo Bertolucci, 1972)

There's more to this art-house classic than the infamous butter scene. Marlon Brando gives a brutal and simultaneously vulnerable performance as a middle-aged American widower who finds solace and escape in both Paris and Maria Schneider as the two embark on an anonymous but sexually adventurous 'relationship'. Far from being smutty, there's a haunting loneliness to Last Tango that feels almost disturbing.

Shame
(Steve McQueen, 2011)

The overriding theme of this movie is exactly the opposite of what most were expecting on first seeing 'Michael Fassbender' and 'sex' in the description. Shame is a sad, sad film. The aforementioned lead and Carey Mulligan as his equally disturbed sister are flawless as two clearly neglected, possibly abused, siblings who try to negotiate life while desperately trying to find something to fill a hole that was dug long ago. The nudity and sex, while necessary, are completely incidental.

Eyes Wide Shut
(Stanley Kubrick, 1999)

Perhaps remembered fondly because it was his last, Kubrick's exploration of the damage jealousy and paranoia can do to a relationship is uncomfortable and unsettling for many reasons - not least in watching then real-life husband and wife Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman playing a game of erotic chicken. Darkly comic, and slightly strange, Kubrick reminds us that there's more to an intimate relationship than the obvious.

The Sessions
(Ben Lewin, 2012)

Based on a true story, The Sessions proves that a sense of humour can be all that's needed to help a situation go from squeamish to sweet as Helen Hunt's sex therapist sensibly and calmly walks a nearly immobile John Hawkes through the mechanics of losing his virginity. Given the subject matter, it could have been heavy and over sentimental, but The Sessions is in fact rather refreshingly light-hearted and lovely.

The Graduate
(Mike Nichols, 1967)

While there's a certain amount of datedness that comes with The Graduate - it's very of its time - but the movie's style and poise can't be disputed. Dustin Hoffman is the young rebel in serious need of sexual awakening, Anne Bancroft is the older woman keen to teach him all she knows before her beauty finally fades. Flawed it may be, but The Graduate is an often-quoted classic for a reason. Here's to Mrs Robinson, indeed.

Lars Von Trier's Nymphomaniac hits cinemas on 7 March, 2014.