Fatal Attraction-1987

Director Adrian Lyne

Starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close

Top 250 Films #128

Scott’s Review #329

Reviewed January 8, 2016

Grade: A

Fatal Attraction is a film that was a monster smash hit at its time of release (1987) and has all the makings of a trashy, forgettable, slick Hollywood film from a disastrous period in Hollywood.

Guess what? It is a fantastic, gripping thriller that still holds up well after all these years.

Say what you will about Anne Archer, who is very good, but this film truly belongs to Michael Douglas and Glenn Close, who made it the believable thriller it is.

The subject matter is adultery, which made it the water-cooler topic of its day.

The plot is quite simple- Douglas plays Dan Gallagher, a successful New York City attorney, happily married to Beth (Archer), and raising a cute young daughter, Ellen.

When Beth and Ellen are away looking at new houses one rainy weekend, Dan embarks on a torrid affair with the sexy, successful businesswoman Alex (Close), not realizing that she is an unbalanced, needy woman who is not about to let Dan out of her life.

I adore this film in large part because it’s a film that can be debated.

Many seem to blame either Dan or Alex (mostly). Still, the question of monogamy can always be a topic of conversation after viewing this film, so in that regard, it is multi-faceted, rather than solely a well-acted Hollywood potboiler.

Was it okay for Dan to cheat? Does Beth overreact, or does she forgive too easily? Do we sympathize with Alex? Is she a victim?

The film is unique because many folks rooted for Dan and Alex, despite her being the other woman.

Many memorable lines and scenes make this film unforgettable; who can forget the infamous “boiling pet rabbit” scene or Alex’s line to Dan, “I will not be ignored, Dan.”

They are so ingrained in pop culture that thinking of these aspects of Fatal Attraction brings a smile.

The real selling point, though, is the natural, honest chemistry Douglas and Close share. Their scenes, especially the romantic weekend they spend together, flow so smoothly that you really root for them, and I instantly bought them as a couple.

Without this undeniable chemistry, Fatal Attraction would be a standard romantic thriller- and not much else. And the smoldering sexuality during their love scenes is erotic and intense.

Surely not suffering from the dreaded “1980s look”, Fatal Attraction is a gem that holds up very well and is a slick thrill-ride, easily watched and enjoyed time and again.

Dozens of carbon-copy films cropped up in the years that followed, but none were ever as fantastic as Fatal Attraction (1987).

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Adrian Lyne, Best Actress-Glenn Close, Best Supporting Actress-Anne Archer, Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium

Golden Globe Nominations: Best Picture-Drama, Best Director-Adrian Lyne, Best Actress-Drama-Glenn Close, Best Supporting Actress-Anne Archer