It’s not often that you get to see an A-lister in the throes of passion – unless you are looking out for them, of course. Thankfully, you won’t have to look far to find out what happens when these two collide.
Last year, we were treated to the sight of Robert Pattinson as he masterbated to the tune of Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’. Unfortunately, despite the visual feast that was on offer, we didn’t learn very much about the method of his masturbation. It wasn’t until this week that we were finally gifted with the full, gratuitous bacchanal.
In case you were wondering, yes, that is a real thing. The scene in question is from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, and it is by far and away the most talked-about moment from the movie. It has become the defining image of the actor’s career, and it also happens to be one of the most intimate scenes of a highly popular movie. So, let’s take a better look, shall we?
Robert Pattinson Is King Of The Bathroom
One of the first things you’ll notice about the video is that it was filmed in a bathroom. Now, you might be used to seeing male genitalia on display – after all, this is the 21st century, and men are still pretty darned happy to show off their penis. Still, this is something different. This isn’t some clumsy attempt at self-expression, this is a finely honed and artfully shot display of a man’s glory.
Most of the action takes place in the bath, with some light kissing and groping in the shower. The video starts off with a fairly standard introduction to the various parts of Robert’s body, which is then followed by an extended series of close-ups focusing on his penis. This gives the impression that he is either particularly excited or particularly troubled by what he is seeing. We won’t know which – or if – it’s actually the latter until the very end.
Why The Bathroom?
The camera was placed in the mirror as a voyeuristic gesture, and it continues throughout the whole video, focusing on everything from Robert’s feet up until his face. Director Bill Condon apparently felt that a bathtub gave him the best possible vantage point to capture everything he needed. In an interview with EW, Condon elaborated:
“I wanted to see his face when he came, and the mirror was the best place to do that because it was the right height and the right distance from the bed. It feels like you’re really witnessing it as it happens. Every time he did pass out, I was like, ‘Oh no, he’s going to fall into the water! I hope he’s not sick. He’s going to be really embarrassed when he wakes up.’ I wanted it to feel like a real accident. I wanted it to feel like a blunder. But it was also the perfect place for us to be when we did it. It was a very personal moment.”
On the other side of the mattress, Robert’s face is on full display as he attempts to jerk off. The camera stays there in rapt attention as he works his hips back and forth and spits on the palm of his hand. When he finally ejaculates – whether he succeeds or fails, we aren’t quite sure – the camera lingers on it for what seems like an eternity. When the scene finally comes to an end, you’ll see a single drop of jizz fall onto the bathroom floor, immediately followed by the sound of clapping.
What’s Gonna Happen Next?
The next scene is a series of shots of Stephenie Meyer (Steph) sitting on the edge of a bathtub with a concerned look on her face. It seems like some time has passed since we last saw Robert, and while he may have had the occasional orgasm, it’s clear that he wasn’t entirely satisfied. In the scene, we get the sense that something is wrong, and it has to do with his inability to achieve an erection.
Meyer tells him that it’s normal for a man his age to have trouble getting an erection, and that he should talk to his doctor about it – which, of course, Robert does. The conversation makes it clear that Robert isn’t entirely comfortable with his sexuality, and it’s fair to say that he isn’t feeling very adventurous at the moment. As he sits in the bathtub, we see the water gradually recede, giving way to a hazy reflection of himself. It’s as if he is seeing himself, not as others see him, but as he really is – a vulnerable, confused young man, at odds with the world around him and looking for answers.
The scene ends with Robert standing in the shower, still seemingly unable to come to terms with his sexuality. In one of the film’s most haunting shots, you’ll see a misty, shirtless Robert staring into the mirror, his arms wrapped around himself as he shivers. It’s an image that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.