‘A masterclass in lesbian eroticism’: why Bound is my feelgood movie

The recent resurgence of interest in classic queer films has led many to overlook Bound, the Wachowski sisters’ directorial debut from 1996. This understated film is often eclipsed by more obvious choices like Paris is Burning or Desperate Living, but its influence can be seen in many subsequent films and TV shows that have explored queer relationships with greater explicitness.

Bound’s success lies not only in its captivating narrative, which pits a rough-around-the-edges plumber against a polished mob moll, but also in the way it represents desire as a complex, multifaceted force. The film’s portrayal of Corky and Violet’s relationship is notable for its restraint – they never explicitly express their feelings to each other, yet the tension between them is palpable.

The Wachowski sisters’ commitment to nuance is evident in their exploration of Violet’s character, who defies the typical femme fatale trope. Unlike many films that use sex and violence as shorthand for queerness, Bound chooses to focus on the mundane aspects of Violet and Corky’s interactions – their conversations about everyday things like lunch and laundry become charged with an unspoken intimacy.

This emphasis on character development rather than sensationalism has made Bound a model for subsequent queer films and TV shows. However, its influence extends beyond the realm of LGBTQ+ representation alone – it also marks a turning point in the way mainstream cinema approaches desire as a whole. By prioritizing subtlety over explicitness, Bound challenges audiences to think about desire in a more thoughtful, less superficial manner.

Critics have accused Bound of being too “soft” or even “straight-friendly,” but this misses the point of what makes the film so groundbreaking: its refusal to pander to audience expectations or reduce queer desire to simplistic tropes. In contrast, more recent films like Blue is the Warmest Color have faced criticism for their explicitness – critics arguing that they prioritize shock value over genuine exploration.

In many ways, Bound serves as a reminder of the importance of subtlety and restraint in exploring queer desire. Rather than relying on obvious tropes or explicitness, we should be prioritizing depth and nuance – qualities that allow audiences to engage with complex characters and relationships on their own terms. By embracing these qualities, we can create a more thoughtful and inclusive cinematic landscape.

The Wachowski sisters’ commitment to subtlety has been praised by many, but it’s also worth noting that Bound challenges mainstream cinema to redefine what we consider “queer” cinema. By refusing to reduce complex characters to simplistic tropes, the film offers a more thoughtful, less superficial take on desire – one that is both quietly revolutionary and deeply affecting.

Ultimately, Bound’s influence can be seen in the way it has redefined our understanding of queer desire in mainstream cinema. Rather than prioritizing explicitness or sensationalism, we should be focusing on nuance and subtlety – qualities that allow audiences to engage with complex characters and relationships on their own terms.