Scarlett Johansson: Sexiness Doesn't Distract

Scarlett Johansson has angrily dismissed claims her steamy sex scene in The Black Dahlia is an unnecessary distraction. The actress plays the woman caught between cops Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart, who are investigating the real life unsolved murder of a wannabe actress whose mutilated body was discovered in Los Angeles in 1947. In the film, Johansson enjoys a sizzling romp with Hartnett and critics have complained they found it difficult to concentrate following the raunchy scene. But Scarlett says, "Of course it's nice to be considered sexy, as a young woman in my prime. But I try not to think about the sexiness. And I never think about it being distracting from a scene." The movie, directed by Brian De Palma, has its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival today.