FATAL
ATTRACTION
RATING: 8 / 10 --> Great movie
Review
Date:
April 4, 1998
Director:
Adrian Lyne
Writer:
James Dearden
Producers:
Stanley R. Jaffe and Sherry Lansing
Actors:
Michael Douglas as Dan Gallagher
Glenn Close as Alex Forrest
Anne Archer as Beth
Gallagher
Genre:
Drama / Thriller
Year of Release: 1987
FATAL ATTRACTION was the film that scared the shit out of every
philandering husband at the time of its release, and its success
was the basis for several copycat thrillers that never once
amounted to the actual intensity of this big hit. Director Adrian
Lyne carved a wonderful tale of love, adultery, psychosis,
forgiveness and obsession.
PLOT:
Successful family man Dan Gallagher (Douglas) has a short but
passionate affair with a woman (Close) he meets at work. After
recognizing the error of his ways, he quickly ends the immoral
liaison. But guess who doesn't appreciate the quick brush-off ?
You guessed it: Alex, the woman with whom he had the affair. Plot
thickens as this shunned woman becomes obsessed with Dan and the
rest of his happy family.
CRITIQUE:
Very intense movie that deals with many of the questions that
people face when they're in a monogamous relationship with
another. The acting is wonderful, with Douglas certifying his
authenticity as "your everyday good guy husband", and
Archer solidifying herself as a "solid wife" lead for
many films to come. But the biggest star of this film is
definitely Glenn Close (and her puffy hair) as the "other
woman" who simply "will not be ignored!" A career
performance, she oozes in intensity, love, hate, relentlessness
and some rabidly obsessive behaviour. And despite the fact that
her character gets nuttier as the movie tags along, it is to
Close's credit that we are able to feel for her pathetic person,
and even root for her in certain scenes ("you thought you
could just use me and throw me away?"). You go, girl!!
Amazing presence.
The pacing of the film is a built-up to several memorable scenes,
with Lyne's wonderful eye leading us down this lengthy, but
always entertaining, road of thrills and genuine chills. The one
thing that bothered me about this great film was the fact that
the little girl in the film looks nothing like a little girl.
It's a boy, through and through !! But hey...I guess you can't
have everything, eh ?
Rent this film with your significant other, and prepare yourself
to discuss many of the topics that meander through this wonderful
picture. And don't forget to warm the nachos and ice those
cokes....!!!
Little Known Facts:
Glenn Close, Anne Archer and Adrian Lyne were all nominated for
Oscars in their respective categories that year. The film was
also nominated for best picture. Nobody won.
Glenn Close once dated Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins (the couple
was introduced by Michael J. Fox).
Barbara Hershey and Debra Winger both turned down the role of
Alex.
Note how Alex wears lighter colored clothing at the beginning of
the film, and shades to dark as her mood descends into despair.
The original ending had to be re-shot when several test audiences
felt as though Alex was not "brought to justice."
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian