Rent Fatal Attraction (1987)

Famous Erotic Thriller - Worth a Revisit. - Fatal Attraction review by GI

One of the more famous erotic thrillers that came out of the 80s. Narratively it's very similar to Clint Eastwood's Play Misty For Me (1971), his directorial debut, both of which feature a plot surrounding a mentally disturbed woman who once scorned by a lover becomes a psychopathic killer. Here Michael Douglas plays Dan, a lawyer, married to Beth (Anne Archer) and they have a six year old daughter. One weekend when Beth is away Dan has a sexually charged affair with Alex (Glenn Close), whose company he represents. Dan sees this as a one off situation, for him a relief from the stresses of marriage and family. However he is unprepared for Alex' reaction when he reiterates it's a one off situation, and she begins to stalk him, her actions becoming evermore unpredictable. There's a complex set of issues at play in this film over and above a simple 'pyscho killer' plot and it can be argued the climax partially obscures the themes that are on offer in the narrative. Perhaps controversially the ending of the film is not the original one which had a different conclusion for the characters and from reports may have allowed the film's ideas to be more evident. But in short the film looks at the issue of infidelity and its effects on those involved with the demarkation falling between the attitudes of men as opposed to women. Dan enters the affair with a clear notion of taking a safe chance to have sex with a beautiful and above all very willing woman and then walk away. He assumes that is a view they both share. Alex, who the film doesn't shy away from showing has a mental health illness, doesn't see it that way and accuses Dan of not taking her feelings into consideration. That of course may well be true, there are significant clues to various readings of these issues throughout the film. It is an effective and tense thriller and the final climax unequivocally paints Alex as the film's villain and she certainly has indulged in acts that are dangerous and violent. However Dan too has pushed the boundaries of morality and the film does not seek to exonerate him. But he is forgiven! Archer is the heart of the film as the cuckolded wife who eventually has to be the family protector. Her performance is rather good. This is an interesting film that is open to interesting discussion especially for a modern day audience. It's worth a refreshing look to see if earlier impressions of it may have changed.