Some?!? I find that rather an odd contrast myself, but then I remind myself that he is French.Originally Posted by Bloomers;3395093;
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<---------------just like HIM!
I dont' get a creepy vibe from Gilles at all - he oozes sex appeal and looks fabulous with Cheryl. jmo
I'm pretty sure that even Frenchmen can be committed to family life.Some?!? I find that rather an odd contrast myself, but then I remind myself that he is French.I do get your point, europeans generally do have a different attitude about on screen nudity and sexuality. They, in turn, are puzzled by the prevalence of violence and gore in our movies while we abecome all aflutter over the sight of someone showering (that's where the brief glimpse of frontal nudity occurred).
To add a little more background on Giles, he was born in France to a Greek mother and an Italian father so he is rather cosmopolitan. Regarding his SITC role, from an USAToday interview:
In all seriousness, Marini says, he is proud of himself for finding the courage to display his entire bod on screen for the first time after a lifetime of painful shyness.
"Even in my house, I'm never naked," he says.
Most surprised by his nudity were his mother and sister, who saw the film in France.
"When I was a boy, I put a stick under the door so no one would get in while I was taking a shower. My sister, my brother and mom were always teasing me."
I'm interested in perceptions versus reality and, for some reason, this discussion of the sleazy/sexy/latin lover/devoted family man has brought to mind Hugh Grant's onscreen image in contrast to his real life -*ahem*- pursuits.
Some?!? I find that rather an odd contrast myself, but then I remind myself that he is French.
I think the French think very differently about public nudity, etc. than we do. They are certainly openly sensual. I have no idea, of course, what G. is like in his private life, but to be overtly sexual on DWTS is not only common, but somewhat of a requirement in some dances. . .at least according to the judges. In G's case the sensuality is his strongest card and Cheryl is always great at utilizing her "celeb's" strengths.
Most likely it is safe to say that the French are generally speaking a more liberal people than the Americans.Some?!? I find that rather an odd contrast myself, but then I remind myself that he is French.
Experientially, the general concept of a combination devoted family man/nude actor/gyrating -pelvic dancer is incongruent in our American society and is probably causing some people to pause when they try to view all of it together in Gilles.
I'm glad everyone saw the humor in my comment about him being French - exactly, they do view nudity differently than most Americans. However, it is interesting to read about his painful shyness growing up. Just to be clear, I do not find him sleazy at all - I was just trying to get to why some might be seeing him that way. I DO still think that part of it is the costumes - they haven't been great for him, IMO. Not to stir the pot, though, if I didn't know he was married and his wife was sitting in the audience, I would almost wonder if he and Cheryl had become more than dance partners. Maybe that's because he has so much raw sexuality, or I'm transferring with Cheryl, but at the very least, they are hitting the nail on the head of doing what Cheryl says good ballroom should do - almost giving you the feeling you shouldn't be watching (that was her, I think - someone on the show had a quote along those lines).
I like Gilles and think he's a good dancer. I do find it funny and ironic, however, how so many actors who do nude scenes claim how shy and diffident they were growing up. It's kind of similar to the people who go on Dr. Phil or Oprah to talk about something so private that they could never open up to anybody about. Yet, they seem fine doing it in front of millions of people.
I really don't think it's only the French. Most European cultures are much more open and less uptight about nudity and sexuality than many Americans.
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You put that so succinctly! 