In the 2013 superhero film The Wolverine, the character Logan, also known as Wolverine, is kissed by two different women over the course of the movie. One kiss is from a Japanese woman named Mariko, while the other is from a villain named Viper.
The Kiss from Mariko
The first and most significant kiss in the film is between Logan and Mariko Yashida. Mariko is a young Japanese woman whose grandfather, Mr. Yashida, invites Logan to Japan in order to say goodbye before he dies. As Logan spends time with Mariko, they develop feelings for each other and share a romantic kiss.
Their first kiss occurs when Logan saves Mariko from being assassinated by members of the Yakuza criminal organization. After fighting off her attackers, Logan holds Mariko in his arms and they embrace in a passionate kiss, cementing their burgeoning romantic relationship.
This kiss is important because it shows that Logan has moved past the death of his love Jean Grey from the previous X-Men films and is open to finding love again. Mariko is portrayed as a strong, intelligent character and she and Logan seem to have real chemistry and understanding. Their kiss represents Logan finally letting his guard down and being vulnerable again after losing Jean.
The Kiss from Viper
The second kiss in The Wolverine is between Logan and the villain Viper, whose real name is Dr. Green. Viper is a member of the dangerous Silver Samurai clan who has poisonous mutant powers. She kisses Logan against his will when she disguises herself as Mariko’s helper and infiltrates Logan’s hideout.
The forced kiss happens after Viper taunts Logan and reveals that her poisonous tongue and lips have weakened his healing abilities. She then grabs him aggressively and kisses him on the mouth before tossing him to the ground and leaving him writhing in pain.
This kiss represents the inverted dynamic between Logan’s relationships with Mariko and Viper. While Mariko cares for Logan and restores his spirit, Viper exploits and damages him. The kiss underscores Viper’s villainy and sets up the eventual climactic battle between her and Logan later in the film.
Comparison of the Kisses
The two kisses serve as important storytelling moments that reveal key aspects of Logan’s relationships with Mariko and Viper:
| Kiss with Mariko | Kiss with Viper |
|---|---|
| Romantic, consensual | Forced, nonconsensual |
| Brings Logan’s humanity out | Manipulates and weakens Logan |
| Leads to trust and intimacy | Leads to betrayal and pain |
Mariko’s kiss allows Logan to heal emotionally, while Viper’s kiss literally takes away his mutant healing powers. One represents true love and redemption, while the other stands for deception and evil. Analyzing these two key kisses provides insight into Logan’s relationships in the film.
Conclusion
In the end, Mariko’s romantic kiss proves far more significant than Viper’s poisonous kiss in The Wolverine. Logan shares a passionate embrace with Mariko, a woman who sees through his gruff exterior and cares for the man underneath. Their kiss kickstarts a relationship based on trust, affection, and depth of character.
Meanwhile, Viper exploits and tricks Logan with her kiss, using it as a tactic to weaken him. The two kisses contrast true bonds against shallow manipulation. Mariko’s kiss allows Logan to open up again, while Viper’s reminds him of the need for caution. Their kisses provide insight into Logan’s connections in the film and act as turning points in his relationships.
The History of Kissing in Films
Kissing scenes in movies have a long and storied history, dating back to the earliest days of cinema. From silent films to modern blockbusters, on-screen kisses have thrilled audiences for over a century.
One of the first-ever kisses in cinema history occurred in the 1896 film The Kiss, directed by William Heise for Thomas Edison. This brief 18-second film simply depicted a re-enactment of the stage play The Widow Jones, where two actors kissed one another on the lips. Even in this early short, the power of the kiss was enough to cause a minor scandal and be denounced as shocking and obscene by some critics.
In the early 20th century, kisses became more common in movies. As film technology advanced and narratives became more sophisticated, directors used kissing scenes to portray romance and passion between characters. Hollywood films in the 1920s showed actors such as Rudolph Valentino, Greta Garbo, and Clara Bow kissing their co-stars to convey sexuality and attraction.
Under the restrictive Production Code that governed Hollywood films from 1934 to 1968, rules were in place about how kisses could be portrayed. Open-mouth or prolonged kisses were prohibited, as were kisses between people of different races. These regulations meant kisses had to be brief and often lacked intimacy.
When the Production Code was eventually abandoned and replaced by the MPAA film rating system, kissing became much more naturalistic and passionate on screen. Films from the late 1960s and beyond contained unrestrained kissing scenes, such as the make-out sessions in Drive-In or the iconic upside-down kiss from Spider-Man.
Nowadays, kissing remains an impactful storytelling device in movies. On-screen kisses can establish relationships, build sexual tension, and provide key turning points for characters. Memorable movie kisses from contemporary films like The Notebook, Titanic, Lady and the Tramp, and many more have kept audiences invested in film romance.
Purpose of Kisses in Movies
Kisses in movies serve several narrative purposes:
- Reveal emotions and connections between characters
- Build sexual or romantic tension
- Provide a climactic moment in a relationship
- Show characters overcoming obstacles to love
- Demonstrate the bliss or passion of romance
- Mark key turning points in the story
An impactful scripted kiss transcends just the physical act and uses the intimate moment to advance the story and reveal something deeper about the characters involved.
Most Memorable Kisses
Some of the most iconic and memorable kisses in cinema include:
- Spider-Man upside-down kiss in the rain from Spider-Man (2002)
- Tunnel of love kiss from The Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- Beach kiss from From Here to Eternity (1953)
- Kiss in the fields from The Sound of Music (1965)
- Silhouette kiss from Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946)
- “You had me at hello” kiss from Jerry Maguire (1996)
- Spaghetti kiss from Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- Photocopier kiss from Secretary (2002)
- Wall kiss from The Notebook (2004)
- Noah and Allie’s reunion kiss from The Notebook (2004)
These kisses have endured in popularity due to factors like passion, emotional stakes, rain-soaked clinches, innovative photography, and quirkiness. The most indelible movie kisses combine technical artistry, acting prowess, chemistry between the leads, and meaningful stakes within the story.
Kissing and Relating in The Wolverine
Returning to the specific topic of kissing in The Wolverine, Logan’s relationships with Mariko and Viper hinge significantly on their respective kisses. The dual kisses serve as contrasts between true bonds and shallow deceit. Mariko’s kiss is loving and therapeutic for Logan’s wounded heart. Viper’s kiss only furthers her nefarious machinations against him.
Director James Mangold spoke about wanting the kiss between Logan and Mariko to feel earned and genuine: “I wanted to make sure that when Logan and Mariko finally did have physical intimacy, that it didn’t feel like, ‘Okay, contractually now we have to have the love scene.'” The focus was on realistically building their romantic connection.
To prepare for Viper’s forced kiss scene, actor Will Yun Lee had to drink mint tea to make his mouth frosty when combined with Viper’s poisonous breath. The icy temperature of their kiss helped make it feel dangerous and sinister for Logan.
The two kisses work together to reveal new dimensions of Logan’s relationships. Mariko restores his faith in love, while Viper reminds him of its dark side. Few other story moments could crystallize these opposing dynamics as starkly and memorably as the dual kiss scenes.
Conclusion
In The Wolverine, Logan’s kisses with Mariko and Viper represent opposing experiences that shape his perspective. Mariko’s tender kiss opens his heart again after past tragedy, while Viper’s poisonous kiss hardens his defenses once more. These intimate scenes provide emotional touchpoints that bring greater depth and insight to Logan’s relationships.
On-screen kisses have been significant in cinema for over a century, allowing filmmakers to build stakes, convey passions, and crystallize relationships. The Wolverine uses its central kisses as key turning points that ultimately reveal Logan’s capability for love and need for caution, driving the story forward through intimate connection.