MovieChat Forums > Cake (2015) Discussion > Chronic Pain & Sex: Are Her actions real...

Chronic Pain & Sex: Are Her actions realistic?

posted 9 years ago by ltdwsr-77674
22 replies | jump to latest

OK I know she's in Chronic Pain & Aniston mostly does a good job at that, however would she really be interested or even capable of having Sex? 1st with the pool boy and then several times with Nina's husband. If in Chronic Pain I'd guess that's the last thing she'd be interested in or physically capable of. And even if she just lies there and receives the men's attentions without really participating, then it just bothers me that the men involved use her that way. Then of when she attacks Leonard (William H Macy) she appears pretty spry. Just out of character for someone suffering from such severe chronic pain.

[–] prettyh 9 years ago

As someone with chronic pain (though not of the same sort, and not as dependent upon opiates, as Claire), I can say that the degree of pain can change a LOT over the course of even a day. And as for sex, there's logic behind seeking it out: Sex can help release endorphins, nature's painkiller, and it can also help psychologically to help the sufferer feel more "normal," still engaged with life and other people. Pursuing sex, even if it's not as enjoyable as it once was or if it actually hurts, can serve to make someone feel like they've got a bit of their power back. Does that make sense?

I don't know if it always came off in the film as being realistic/true to Claire's character, but in general it's absolutely possible for a chronic pain sufferer to act the way she did. Hope that helps.

[smile]

[–] WeluvDogs 9 years ago

Being a person with chronic pain I agree with you!!

[–] ltdwsr-77674 9 years ago

Good comment. Thanks.

[–] smcbee27 9 years ago

I have chronic pain and take methadone for it. I enjoy sex with my husband for obvious reasons but as already been pointed out the endorphine release along with other chemicals is a pain killer itself. Not to mention feeling beautiful and human in that time. I thought it was well played out as to her needing certain positions etc. It was one of the more believable parts of the movie to me and the one I recognized in my own life whereas the rest made it seem if your on pain meds you can't live a full life. Before being placed on pain meds I could not walk without assistance and now I can not only do that but light exercises. I'm tired of pain meds being portrayed as evil-for many they keep us from laying down and giving up or worse, jumping.

[–] smcbee27 9 years ago

I left off the Macy scene. When you come face to face with the man who killed your child and destroyed your life I believe the adrenaline will be enough to carry you through giving a short beating. Not to mention the strength of bottled up anger and hate.

Chronic pain is different for everyone. One thing we learn early on is to never compare. My pain is not yours. So I was able to watch the movie and not nit pick because I've learned to never compare. As an actress I think Aniston did a very good job of portraying someone who's body had betrayed her.

Hopefully one thing you can learn from this movie and asking these questions is you should never assume you know what someone's life is or should be ever, but especially in dealing with chronic illness and pain. Thinking you know their limits or deciding "they must not hurt too much if they're having sex" will only hurt the person who is already suffering enough in life. If someone in pain can manage to do something, especially something thst brings them pleasure, rejoice with them don't condemn them for it.

[–] ltdwsr-77674 9 years ago

Good comments. Trust me wasn't condemning. Just not my experience with a Chronic Pain Sufferer, but like you said it's different for everyone. Thank You.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ltdwsr-77674 9 years ago

"then it just bothers me that the men involved use her that way." Did I express that thought incorrectly? "Classic." Can you explain.

[–] MdmBadenov 9 years ago

I was baffled by the poster's comments also. No, I don't understand what he means. I looked over your sentence a few times and it looks fine to me. I see no mistake. Don't know what's "classic".

Another point re the sex. Did you see in the scene when she did it with the pool guy he started to get on top of her and she stopped him, directing him to lie behind her on his side (spooning position) to enter him? I had the impression she had him do this because of her condition--that it would cause her pain if he was over her, but the side-lying position would be better for her. I can believe that she would seek out sex opportunities on occasion. It's like a brief distraction from her physical and emotional pain. It was hard to tell from her facial expression while her sex partner was thrusting. It looked like there might be some discomfort and a feeling of despair, but I also thought she was experiencing some enjoyable sensations.

I don't think she was sexually intimate with Nina's husband. To me, it seemed like she asked him to sleep with her in the same bed, as a means of obtaining some comfort. Why he would agree to this without having a sexual encounter with Claire seems peculiar. I could see someone who loves you sharing a bed with you to provide comfort without it being sexual, the way Justin sat in the chair until she fell asleep. It's hard to believe a man who barely knows a woman would agree to it, though. But who knows?

[–] kya1 9 years ago

I don't think she was sexually intimate with Nina's husband. To me, it seemed like she asked him to sleep with her in the same bed, as a means of obtaining some comfort. Why he would agree to this without having a sexual encounter with Claire seems peculiar. I could see someone who loves you sharing a bed with you to provide comfort without it being sexual, the way Justin sat in the chair until she fell asleep. It's hard to believe a man who barely knows a woman would agree to it, though. But who knows?

I didn't get the impression she had sex with him either. I agree that it is a little odd to sleep in the same bed with someone you don't know, but he was grieving for Nina and I suppose he wasn't thinking totally rationally.

It probably was that he was missing having another person in the bed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAIJ3Rh5Qxs

[–] oh_yeah_man 9 years ago

She didn't have sex with Nina's husband. They just slept in the same bed.

[–] cookiela2001 9 years ago

"...even if she just lies there and receives the men's attentions without really participating, then it just bothers me that the men involved use her that way."

Does it bother you that she is "using" them, as well?

[–] ltdwsr-77674 9 years ago

No quite frankly that doesn't bother me at all. Use away!

[–] Carly_Corinthos1971 9 years ago

Orgasm is pain relieving.

"I love Sonny and Sonny loves me"-Carly Corinthos

[–] ltdwsr-77674 9 years ago

Glad to hear that!

[–] filmfancy 9 years ago

Orgasm is pain relieving.

From the look on Claire's face as she was having sex I don't think it was very pleasurable for her, although the guy seemed to be enjoying it. I think she just wanted some intimacy. She states several times that she doesn't like to sleep alone and variously asks her ex-husband as well as Nina's husband to sleep in the bed with her.

And all the pieces matter (The Wire)

[–] Mngirl1974 9 years ago

Nope. It's virtually impossible. I guess I can't speak for all chronic pain sufferers but no matter how much I want to; the very thought of it terrifies me because I know I will be laid up (no pun intended) for a week after. We try but...

[–] Queen-of-the-USA 9 years ago

i have a chronic pain condition and it hasnt changed my sex drive at all, only diference is that it makes it difficult physically.