Disclosure

A pretty darn-good movie, if I don’t say so myself. It’s weird because the only thing that I remembered from this film from my first viewing of it back in 1994, other than the fact that it wasn’t all that good, was this goofy over-the-top “virtual reality” scene near the end of the film, which just ruined it for me. Well, years later and with a video machine in front of me, I re-acquainted myself with this flick based on a Michael Chrichton novel, and actually quite enjoyed it (although that goofy “virtual reality” scene still stuck out like a sore thumb!)

But there aren’t too many flicks starring the “regular guy” Michael Douglas character that haven’t worked for me. FATAL ATTRACTION, DISCLOSURE, etc…you know, films in which he’s basically a nice guy with a couple of small moral issues, but overall, a nice family man, with kids and a nice wife. Of course, if isn’t long before a damn-basted woman ruins shit for him, and Michael, the puffy-haired actor, is ready to fight back hard! You go, boy-yah!

This film is interesting on various levels because it discusses sexual harassment in the world place, but from a man’s perspective. Of course, this rarely happens in real life, but it’s a nice juxtaposition here because it allows men to see what the other side has to go through from day to day. There’s also a small side-story in here with Douglas’ assistant, which is also pretty telling.

Of course, most of this will turn unpolitically correct people off big-time, but I enjoyed the games for the most part, and liked the way sex was used to essentially play the “power game” in the workplace (which is something that occurs from day to day, even without the sex games). Fuckin’ office politics, can you beat them or what??!

I also have to give it up to both Douglas and Moore, who is especially effective in her role as the domineering and tough-minded woman. Roma Maffia was also very good as Douglas’ lawyer in the flick, and even though the ending felt a little manufactured, with Douglas sneaking into an apartment and trying on the “virtual reality” contraption (I guess this was “hot” at the time) complete with a Demi Moore avatar, the film was mostly quite entertaining and moved at a sweet pace, despite running over two hours.

Although I have to say, what the hell happened to Dennis Miller’s character after the first 20 minutes or so!?!? They completely removed the dude from the rest of the movie and didn’t mention him ever again (and he didn’t get killed or anything, because you can see him standing in the office at the end of the movie). Weird.

Anyway, a decent video rental, to be sure, especially if you wanna go back and forth with your partner…

(c) 2021 Berge Garabedian