Fatal Attraction (1987)

Lost a bit of it's spark over the years but still good

I remember when the film came out. Film goers were talking about it.

Of course, the memorable lines & scenes.

To me it has lost a bit of it's edge over the passage of 21 years.

Well acted by the 3 principles.

1 THING I HAVE ALWAYS HATED ABOUT IT & STILL BOTHERS ME TODAY. What was the deal with the kid Ellen's hair? I THOUGHT IT WAS A GIRL BUT WITH THAT BOYS HAIR CUT? A boy named Ellen?

Some good extras on the DVD. Having the laser disc of the film I had already scene the "original ending" to the film.

At the height of Michael's successful film streak in the 1980's. With the purchase of this DVD I now have the 3 roles of Glenn's I like, besides this 1 "Air Force One" & "101 Dalmatians".

`Don't ignore it" JUST IGNORE THE KID'S HAIR CUT.
September 26, 2008

Pure '80s gold that simply won't be ignored.

It is totally campy by today's standards, but it caused quite a sensation back in 1987. Glenn Close plays Alex Forrest, a mentally unstable career woman who has a one night stand with Dan Gallagher, a successful husband and father. After two nights of extremely bizarre love making (kitchen sink, anyone?), Dan decides that it is time to call it off for good. Big mistake. Alex Forrester teaches him a lesson he'll never forget...this film is responsible for the term "bunny boiler", by the way. Soon, Dan's wife gets in on the fun, and it all leads up to that disturbing, overwrought - and terribly cliched - climax.

One thing is for sure: you never know who to root for in this film. I go back and forth between Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. I can't decide. I mean, he's the jerk that cheated on his hot wife, knowing that he has a wife and a little girl at home. In a way, I think he deserves it. There are times when I smile with glee as he is forced to suffer the consequences to his actions - Mwahahahaha! But then I think, "Geez, Glenn Close. You're one scary ho! Go on with your power hair, you demented skank! Leave that man alone! What did the rabbit do to you, you whore?! Glenn! Give me the knife! Stop cutting yourself, Glenn! Alright, Anne Archer. Blast her." It's easy to switch allegiances with the characters in this film. That's part of the fun of FATAL ATTRACTION, if you can get past the hilarious love-making scenes, which include Michael Douglas constantly, OBSESSIVELY sucking on Glenn's saggy boobs every chance he gets! EVERY love scene, he goes straight for the boobs. That's all she is to him. Just one big boob to suck. Anyways, if you can get past THAT, then you'll have the time of your life. I wasn't kidding when I said it has camp value, but it is still disturbing as well, don't get me wrong. If I learned one thing by watching this film, it's that I will NEVER, EVER cheat on my wife. EVER. And that's a good thing. I'll bet you anything that this film has saved marriages. After this film, you know why THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTRY is one of the top 10. Whew...

All in all, it's an eighties classic with important moral lessons thrown in with lots of psychotic activity, kidnapping, bunny boiling, and boob sucking.

Adrian Lyne would explore this territory again in 2003's UNFAITHFUL.

August 13, 2008

[4.5] Men...all the more reason to never cheat on your wife

It is no doubt that Fatal Attraction is a classic, and fatal attraction are two words you've most likely heard at some point in life even if you haven't watched the film. Without even going into details I will already say this is a must-see movie, basically for anyone who likes good movies in general. If you are into thrillers then the experience will be all the better. It is certainly entertaining to a point, but I must admit from a guy's point of view, every time I watch this it confirms that I will never cheat on my wife when my day of marriage arrives. While this is a film and it probably exaggerates the situation to a degree, nevertheless the near perfect acting create convincing situations that make this movie feel very real. Well, Dan's wife was probably a little too easy on him in the end, but that's just my opinion.

Fatal Attraction has a lot going for it that has made it a memorable classic. Michael Douglas and Glenn Close give superb performances. The affair they encounter is played out very well, as is the extreme obsession Alex (Glenn Close) continues to have for Dan when they part ways and he returns to his family. As mentioned earlier, the obsession is a bit ongoing at times, but still believable and is what makes Fatal Attraction what it is. Glenn Close can become downright scary at times with her obsession. Constant phone calls and stalking are just the tip of what this woman does, and eventually almost anything seems possible and creates a lot of fun, and yet scary suspense throughout the movie - which only increases to the climactic ending.

I'm not sure I would say Glenn Close steals the show, because Michael Douglas does a teriffic job too. Caught as the man in the middle, his frustration only heightens when he discovers that Alex is pregnant and refuses abortion. As smart as he is and as much as he tries to hide the truth from his wife, there is just no going around it - the truth is revealed. He was not sloppy in his efforts, it just goes to show what goes around comes around and there is no escaping it.

This is a great movie that is both entertaining and (though probably not the intention, but nevertheless) makes a loud statement about cheating on your spouse and its consequences. Though containing sex, nudity, language and violence, Fatal Attraction never glorifies any of it and uses it only when necessary to make a very good, believable film.

Acting - 5
Characters - 4.5
Story - 4.5
Suspense - 4.5
Overall - 4.5
August 10, 2008

Close Minded

This is another one of Michael Douglas' thriller chillers. They are all pretty much the same by now, but when this was released it created quite a buzz. One night of cheating with Glenn Close was more than he bargained for. Wifey was away, but comes back and poor Mike thinks that life will go on as usual. Not if Glenn has her say. And, she more than does in this flick.
She is like a spider, weaving a web to catch poor Mike. She tries every trick in the book, calling on the phone, attempting suicide, saying she is pregnant, blowing up his car, and driving Mike to the edge of insanity where she lives.
When she takes his daughter on a whim, boils her rabbit, the struggle becomes real personal and gets out of total control. Needless to say, the ending will prove that demented Glenn, once a spider, is harder to kill than a cockroach.
Glenn Close's performance makes the movie watchable. Other than that, the other actors are just wooden puppets. June 16, 2008

One Night Stand = Forever...

Wow! I sure remember this one! I saw it at the theatre in '87 and knew it would be a sensation. Why? Because it strikes right at the heart of human frailty, error, and regret. How many people sat and judged Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) for his sin / stupidity, while being guilty of similar things themselves? I sure did! I smugly told my friends that "If I had Ann Archer at home, I'd never leave the house!" Well, I was young, dumb, and unmarried. And what about Alex Forest (Glenn Close)? Is she just the sinister seductress turned total nutjob, or a victim of Gallagher's arrogant exploitation and dismissal? Hmmm. I like FATAL ATTRACTION because it's more than a mere clever thriller. It forces the viewer to ask questions that are uncomfortable. It's no wonder that this film became a full-blown phenomenon. Adrian Lyne (Jacob's Ladder) tapped into our psyches by invading our private lives. I still squirm during Gallagher's confession to his wife! Highly recommended... March 1, 2008

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