Fatal Attraction

Successful family man Dan Gallagher (Douglas) has a short but passionate affair with a woman (Close) he meets at work. After recognizing the error of his ways, he quickly ends the immoral liaison. But guess who doesn’t appreciate the quick brush-off ? You guessed it: Alex, the woman with whom he had the affair. Plot thickens as this shunned woman becomes obsessed with Dan and the rest of his happy family.

Very intense movie that deals with many of the questions that people face when they’re in a monogamous relationship with another. The acting is wonderful, with Douglas certifying his authenticity as “your everyday good guy husband”, and Archer solidifying herself as a “solid wife” lead for many films to come. But the biggest star of this film is definitely Glenn Close (and her puffy hair) as the “other woman” who simply “will not be ignored!” A career performance, she oozes in intensity, love, hate, relentlessness and some rabidly obsessive behaviour. And despite the fact that her character gets nuttier as the movie tags along, it is to Close’s credit that we are able to feel for her pathetic person, and even root for her in certain scenes (“you thought you could just use me and throw me away?”). You go, girl!! Amazing presence.

The pacing of the film is a built-up to several memorable scenes, with Lyne’s wonderful eye leading us down this lengthy, but always entertaining, road of thrills and genuine chills. The one thing that bothered me about this great film was the fact that the little girl in the film looks nothing like a little girl. It’s a boy, through and through !! But hey…I guess you can’t have everything, eh ?

Rent this film with your significant other, and prepare yourself to discuss many of the topics that meander through this wonderful picture. And don’t forget to warm the nachos and ice those cokes….!!!

(c) 2021 Berge Garabedian