Warning: This article discusses topics of transphobia, child abuse, inappropriate relationships, and suicide.
Unfortunately, there are some scenes of 1990s films that wouldn't happen today. These moments are often uncomfortable because they are politically incorrect, poorly written, or simply outdated.
Some of the best movies of all time are from the '90s, but that doesn't mean certain scenes haven't aged poorly. Plus, some 1990s movies are just plain weird, usually because of a scene that, nowadays, wouldn't work.
10
Ace Ventura's reaction to kissing a trans woman
Ace Ventura (1994)
The titular character discovers that Lois is trans after kissing her in Ace Venture: Pet Detective is an incredibly awkward moment from a '90s comedy film. After Ace discovers that Lois was once identified as Ray Finkle, he vomits ferociously in an overreaction.
While understanding of trans people has improved enormously, this moment is still pretty ridiculous. It's fair that Ace reacts badly when he finds out that Lois is the film's true villain, but vomiting about her identity wouldn't be as comical in 2024.
9
The kiss scene
Blank Check (1994)
Blank check it's 11-year-old Preston Waters cashing a million-dollar check, but this initially wholesome premise is undermined by the FBI's involvement. It's amazing that secret agent Shay agrees to a “business date” with Preston, let alone the pity kiss she gives him at the end of the film.
This is disconcerting Blank check tries to justify an illegal relationship between a child and an adult simply because Shay is on a mission. So she agrees to a second date when Preston is 17, as if that would be any less awkward.
8
Sam and Josie's kiss
I've Never Been Kissed (1999)
I've never been kissed is a romance film that is ruined by an inappropriate relationship. At the end of the film, Sam and Josie kiss in the field in front of everyone. This scene should be exciting, but Even though Josie isn't a high school student, it's totally surprising that Sam would kiss her.
Any normal teacher would want to avoid controversy, even if Josie was lying, but then he succumbs to peer pressure and gives her a very public first kiss. If Sam had any sense, he would have quit his job and moved far, far away.
7
Francis makes out with a woman outside the club
Trainspotting (1996)
Although Francis Begbie isn't exactly the best person in the world, Train location cast, his character gets even worse when he takes the hook to the car. While dating her, Francis goes crazy when he feels her body and realizes that she is trans.
While his reaction is better than Ace Ventura's, it's still disturbing that he's so angry at a person's body. What makes this scene even more frustrating, though, is that Francis' friends don't tell him that the woman is trans on purpose, simply because they think it's funny.
6
Jim Streaming Nadia on her webcam
American Pie (1999)
The webcam scene is considered one of the American Piefunnier moments, but that doesn't mean it would be made today. Even if Jim's desperation for female contact is considered a quirky character trait, watching Nadia changing herself on webcam is simply unpleasant.
Movies are another world, but realistically, there's nothing funny about someone being watched without their knowledge. Poor Nadia is forced to leave the country because of this. This reinforces how Nadia, the victim, is punished more for the incident than the perpetrator himself, even if she's oblivious until it's too late.
5
Caitlin has sex with a dead man
Clerks (1994)
Even though Caitlin is horrified to realize she had sex with a corpse in ClerksIt doesn't improve the scene. However, It's worrying that Caitlin doesn't realize that the person she's being intimate with isn't breathing, also.
All Clerks The film relies on shocking humor in one way or another, but this moment is so heartbreaking that it makes the audience question who invented the concept in the first place. The comedy is clear, no doubt, but such a scene is unlikely to be reflected in a film nowadays.
4
V exposes himself to three minors
Milk Money (1994)
At the beginning of milk moneysex worker V happily receives money from three boys and shows them her breasts in a sleazy motel room. Instead of thinking like a responsible adult, she does it anyway, which is child abuse.
Even though V doesn't sleep with them, that doesn't mean their actions aren't immoral. Her profession is her problem, but there is no reason why children should be involved. milk money is reportedly one of the most expensive screenplays of all time, but if it were remade today, it would be difficult to justify why this scene should be included.
3
Lester fantasizes about his daughter's friend
American Beauty (1999)
American BeautyThe narrative of is quite uncomfortable, but Lester's fantasy of Angela in the rose petal bath definitely wouldn't fly today. Lester imagines pleasuring Angela, which is illegal, immoral, and inappropriate on many levels. Not only is she underage, but she is also best friends with Lester's daughter.
Lester barely meets Angela, a teenager whose prefrontal cortex is not yet fully developed. This scene would never happen today, especially since the American Beauty the characters are framed in a romantic setting, but it's just plain scary.
2
Buckley calls the suicide hotline
Dead Man on Campus (1998)
Man dead on campus' the plot wouldn't happen today, but especially the suicide hotline scene. Cooper pretending to be a volunteer is controversial enough, let alone him participating in Buckley's Bill Gates paranoia. It's vile that Cooper and Josh would try to make someone kill themselves because of their grades.
Suicide is a very sensitive topic and should never be encouraged, and university students under pressure are a particularly vulnerable group. TV and films now typically include resources for viewers to access any support they may need, which is incredibly important and life-saving.
1
Mathilda dresses up and sings
Léon: The Professional (1994)
Natalie Portman is just 12 years old Léon: The Professionalwhich makes Mathilda's seduction scene even more horrifying. Mathilda dresses in lingerie and sings “Like a Virgin” and imitates Marilyn Monroe's Happy Birthday to JFK, but Léon just looks back.
Although it's just a childhood passion, that doesn't excuse the fact that Léon doesn't call it quits right away. That 1990s film scene would never happen today, and it's strange and uncomfortable that this moment is considered somewhat amusing.