In again watching the classic (1976) motion picture “Rocky”, we were intrigued by how, what was then perceived as Rocky’s touching courtship of the shy ‘Adrian’’, would today be considered rape.
According to Wikiedia, “Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and both written by and starring Sylvester Stallone.”
“Rocky courts and eventually dates Paulie’s shy, quiet sister, Adrian (Talia Shire), who works as a clerk in a local pet store. He draws Adrian out of her shell and, as Rocky’s girlfriend, she begins to gain in confidence.”
Rocky entices Adrian into his apartment on their first date, he physically bars her exit despite her ongoing requests to leave, he kisses her over her initial resistance, they sink together to the floor and sexual intercourse is implied by the scene and seemingly verified by the later story line.
At no time does Adrian give verbal consent to her impending loss of virginity.
Why did these scenes not disturb movie audiences? Because at that time men were expected to take the initiative and women to appear to demur.
The scene serves better than any words we can write about the danger of judging actions in the past by today’s standards.
Moreover, it raises concern about the practicality of today’s zeitgeist that sex must be proceeded by verbal affirmative consent.
