9 1/2 Weeks

Man sees woman. Woman sees man. Instant sexual attraction. Man likes to play head games and control the woman. Woman likes it to a point. Woman loves man? Man loves woman? Find out.

Dated, redundant, yet still somewhat interesting sexual drama that pits the young, good looking Mickey Rourke against the young and even prettier Kim Basinger. The film rolls by without much emotion, tension or resolution, but does feature a solid performance by Mickey and some of the most graphic sex scenes between two stars in a Hollywood picture. The shock and outrage that people expressed when this movie was first released was now replaced with a “been there, seen that” kind of feeling for me.

The soundtrack sucks (except for Brian Ferry’s “Slave to Love” and the sex with food song), the direction is standard, and the story line blows chunks, but still, the nostalgia factor and Mickey Rourke acting, well, like Mickey Rourke, still managed to keep this film afloat the recommendable area. Also, if you’re into Kim Basinger in any which way, shape or form, check this piece of tape out, ’cause God knows there are plenty of “provocative” shots in there to keep you busy during those long and lonely winter nights.

Overall, the film’s plot is jammed with sex, some small talk about sex, kinky sex, some sadomasochistic undertones with a touch of control and misogyny, and even kinkier sex. If you’re into any of that stuff, cheezy ’80’s soundtracks, Mickey Rourke’s younger days, or even Kim Basinger’s rack, I suggest you walk into your local video store and lease this Johnson for an evening. If not, your life will not change, and you could still catch an even greater acting coup by Mickey Rourke in the under-appreciated BARFLY (8/10) co-starring the lovely Faye Dunaway. Either way, Adrian Lyne’s still a perv.

(c) 2021 Berge Garabedian