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Rated X? Hardly, as far as kissing- no, there is nothing of the sort. It's an implied relationship but nothing goes beyond complex emotions. The women seem close yet once the child's lie is aired it fouls and stalls this blooming relationship, turning closeness into self-aware, neurotic repression. This odd self-judging, negative, defensive reaction is sadly natural for the puritanical American audience to understand (then & now) where in film or in public sensuality is rarely openly admired nor highly valued while crudeness is considered normal.

In the era when the film was made, showing anything physical between homosexuals or mixed race couples would have been shocking, just to note facts (thankfully times change... ) The film deals with the delicate nature of their closeness, how at peace they were with one another-happiest to share one anothers company without needing definitions, and how outside meddling leads to tensions which upsets all involved. (Entre Nous is a brilliant, "sister" film)

Once the pressure of conservative expectations on them is oppressively applied it pushes our lead actresses the tipping point. Something must give, and indeed does- leading to the heartbreaking ending ... which today would be rediculously negative given there are numerous alternate endings one could imagine. The ending we are stuck with was likely written only to appease the ratings board to assure wide release as they could'nt accept a positive, happy ending (unthinkable! lol) Audiences were probably disappointed (if sympathetic) and hopefully tought better of the what real outcome would, or could have been. This said because i firmly feel we (almost all) secretly believe in hope 'against the odds and 'root for the underdogs', despite the restrictive ethical fashion of the times.