More

Elizabeth Banks Talks Sex, Comedy & Twitter

Elizabeth Banks

First Posted: 08/28/11 01:13 PM ET Updated: 10/28/11 06:12 AM ET

Elizabeth Banks is one of the most gorgeous and talented women in Hollywood, with the ability to pull off a wide range of genres. It is even more impressive, then, that it has been her participation in some of the raunchiest, funniest movies of the past decade that has made her a true star.

From her first sizable role in "Wet Hot American Summer" to her wacky nymph part in "40 Year Old Virgin" and then her leads in "Zack & Miri Make A Porno" and "Role Models," she's proven that she can have more than a few anatomically-inspired laughs. In a new interview with Esquire, she explains why the sophomoric is so often funny.

"Well, it's a fairly ridiculous act," she said, speaking about sex. "I mean, let's be honest: It's a very primal thing that you're doing and it involves, you know -- it's what they call bumping uglies, which sort of puts it in the right place. It's a horrifyingly embarrassing act. It's the most vulnerable you can be as a person, I think."

Sex may be embarrassing, but she's certainly not embarrassed about the way she portrays it.

"Yeah, can't wait for my kid to see it! Um, no," she joked about her kinky bath scene in "The 40 Year Old Virgin." "But I am never embarrassed by something that makes people laugh. I knew that girl. She's a good-time girl who lives in the Valley -- who works in the bookstore -- and goes to community college on the side, and is really into funky stuff in the bedroom. Her entire outlook on life made perfect sense to me."

Banks appears this weekend in "Our Idiot Brother," her fifth film with Paul Rudd, and is currently filming ensemble comedy, "What To Expect When You're Expecting." It's a different sort of sexual movie, but even then, she plays a character with skin on the brain, as the owner of a bookstore called "The Breast Choice." And, she will of course star as Effie Trinket in "The Hunger Games," due out in March.

For more from Banks, check out HuffPost's recent interview with the star, and to read more from her Esquire interview, click here.

FOLLOW HUFFPOST ENTERTAINMENT

Elizabeth Banks is one of the most gorgeous and talented women in Hollywood, with the ability to pull off a wide range of genres. It is even more impressive, then, that it has been her participation i...
Elizabeth Banks is one of the most gorgeous and talented women in Hollywood, with the ability to pull off a wide range of genres. It is even more impressive, then, that it has been her participation i...
Filed by Jordan Zakarin  | 
 
 
  • Comments
  • 47
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)
09:29 AM on 08/31/2011
Sex is stupid and annoying. Men are visual creatures. Sex is nature's way of tricking men into reproduction. If men think sex feels good, then they'll want to do it a lot, thereby producing more humans. Women are emotional creatures. A lot of women, myself included, find sex to be stupid and annoying. I like the emotional connection with a man and never the sexual because I think sex is stupid.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
04:57 AM on 09/22/2011
Men are certainly more visual and women more swayed by emotions on average, but women can enjoy sex just as much if not more so than men. Some women get turned on by certain smells more than anything visual. But nonetheless a woman who enjoys sex is a healthy adult individual... those who find it annoying and stupid have serious issues.

That's not my opinion - ask any psychologist. Female or male. Go ahead.

"Never the sexual" connection? Look, unless you were raped or abused or have some sort of physical condition then that makes no sense. If any of those are true then I have sincere empathy. I mean that; I've known abuse victims and I don't make jokes about that sort of thing. But either way - seriously - consult a therapist. Appreciating and valuing the emotional connection more than the sexual is good, healthy prioritzing, but a woman who doesn't like sex.. at all?.... woah, huge red flag. Again, not an opinion. That's textbook human nature. You're missing an important part of being with someone.

Bottom line - no one in their right mind would ever tell you that sex is not an integral part of a relationship that should be mutually enjoyed.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LordoftheBrown
Obama. DUH.
06:05 PM on 09/27/2011
Wow, you must be a lot of fun at parties.
12:00 AM on 08/30/2011
Elizabeth,there is a big difference between having sex and making love.I am sorry that you haven't experienced the latter...
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LordoftheBrown
Obama. DUH.
06:04 PM on 09/27/2011
You're a N U T.
11:56 PM on 08/29/2011
She is great,loved her in Zack & Mira....
photo
bridgeman
Jesus was a Jazz fan
08:50 AM on 08/29/2011
Fun or Funny?
photo
dmsdzinr
Progression wit a twist of sarcasm.
07:50 AM on 08/29/2011
Come Dear Elizabeth, let me make you laugh..
03:40 AM on 08/29/2011
>- it's what they call bumping uglies, which sort of puts it in the right place. It's a horrifyingly embarrassing act. It's the most vulnerable you can be as a person, I think."

Talk about overanalyzing something that can be basic and beautiful.
photo
Pelican1983
Eat your peas!
02:48 AM on 08/29/2011
She and Rachel McAdams are separated at birth.
photo
deven61
Sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids
12:02 PM on 08/29/2011
Julie Bowen as well...
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
GBPackerfan
Don't argue with crazy people
12:57 AM on 08/29/2011
Her description of sex tells me she ain't doing it right. It would be a sacrifice, but I would volunteer to show her how.
By the way, she's really funny, and is proof that funny is sexy.
This comment has been removed due to violations of our [Guidelines]
11:32 PM on 08/28/2011
She reminds me of Chelsea "Lately."
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dede Eagleburger
well behaved women rarely make History...
12:11 AM on 08/29/2011
yes she has been confused for her and vice versa!
photo
deven61
Sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids
12:03 PM on 08/29/2011
Chelsea would sit up all night in front of a mirrow gawking at herself if that were true...it's not.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dede Eagleburger
well behaved women rarely make History...
01:43 PM on 08/29/2011
huh? what is that supposed to mean...
lldem1
life long democrat or long lost? hard to tell
11:29 PM on 08/28/2011
people will do anything for money.
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Gronkie
Radical Independent
10:28 PM on 08/28/2011
If you're not smiling and laughing, you're not doing it right.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
blueman00009
It is what it is
09:19 PM on 08/28/2011
I don't find sex particularly hilarious. Odd statement. Guess she doesn't get enough.
08:39 PM on 08/28/2011
I feel sad for such a beauty. Sex and love is like the wine of life when combined.. To make such negative statements about sex, she must have never felt the beauty of being in love and feeling the urge to receive GODS greatest rewards for expressing that love.

New life and a climax are just two of the many beautiful rewards that occur when mature people come together to express their real love for each other.
recless
Evidence first. Believe later. Maybe.
10:14 PM on 08/28/2011
I feel sad for you. Delusions are sad.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LittleRedEngine
06:19 PM on 08/29/2011
wow, I like your description "God's greatest reward". Awesomely put..
07:45 PM on 08/28/2011
She married a Jew and converted. Excellent career move.