The Story
Adrian Lyne Heats Up Hollywood
Let’s give a hand to Adrian Lyne. When you’re wandering through that back section labeled “Dramas” at Blockbuster, his is one of the only names in showbiz that still contains the mark of a gripping movie. You see his name in all caps above the movie title, you push that cassette into the VCR, you sit on the edge of your seat, and you stay there the entire time.
He will glue your eyes to the screen with a minimal amount of gore, a moderate amount of sex, and a maximum amount of intrigue. Although Flashdance might not exactly be your idea of a thriller, Lyne’s sparse but satisfying later movies have tackled important issues such as teen drama (Foxes), horned creatures and a Vietnam veteran (Jacob’s Ladder), and laborious Russian remakes (Lolita). However, Adrian Lyne’s true gift lies in his evocative exploration of adultery. And no director in Hollywood has more shockingly exposed the full ramifications of the seventh commandment than he.
So in commemoration of this undeniably captivating director, I’d like to run through four of his greatest movies.
9 ½ Weeks (1986) Warning to all who shudder at fetishes – this is probably one of the sexiest movies you can rent without going through a beaded curtain.
Lyne’s most graphic and raw portrayal of fantasy, 9 ½ Weeks is the story of a torrid affair between an art dealer (Basinger) and a mysteriously undefined businessman (Rourke). The film takes you on a variety of erotic adventures, but don’t watch it for the plot (considering the only one that exists is the growing sexual debauchery that the two share as the film progresses). Watch it for the development of intensity that exists between the two main characters is filmed. Watch as Lyne pushes each encounter just to the brink of explosion, only to give you 30-second moments of relief between each one. The acting is secondary to the theme of this growing sexual pressure and its consequences for the woman who succumbs to it. The decreased use of light, the growing sparseness of the music and the swelling of vocal and facial depth of the woman all mimic the steadily increasing corruption into which she slides.
Although the movie doesn’t directly concern adultery, Lyne explores the individual’s sexual limits in a fascinating, dark way. At the end you will find yourself horrified, and wondering how far you would go in nine and a half weeks.
Fatal Attraction (1987) “It may be my last chance to have a child.” Good reason. Go ahead, Michael Douglas, a one night stand with the blonde, pretty lady won’t have any permanent ramifications on your happy family.
In this film, Lyne paints a bloody portrait of the disastrous (albeit unlikely) results of an extramarital affair. When Dan’s (Douglas) wife goes away for the weekend, he engages in a quick liaison with a colleague. Little does he know that Alex (magnificently portrayed by Glenn Close) has a slight problem with rejection, and she begins to threaten, blackmail and stalk Dan. The famous climax of the movie (memorably watched by Bridget Jones after a breakup) is a shocking illustration of the possible results of an affair. Presumably there are fewer maniacs in the world and bloodshed won’t have to be the end to all mistakes, but the film brings up several interesting questions about honesty, faithfulness and trust in monogamous relationships. Dan’s struggles with telling his wife of the affair and the melodramatic chaos ensuing from a momentary lapse in judgment cause those ancient Biblical words to ring loud in your ear (Do NOT commit adultery! Else you will be drowned and shot in a bathtub!).
The film is whirling, crazy, and somewhat ridiculous, but it’s a sure bang from beginning to end. The fast-paced plot and simplistic camera work all emphasize the spiraling, horrific story.
Indecent Proposal (1993) Who could imagine Robert Redford as the bad guy? But when he poses the million-dollar proposal to an impoverished couple (Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson), leaving their gorgeous marriage in the wake of his desire, somehow we see the evil behind that shining smile.
This one is chock-full of steamy love scenes, but, comfortingly enough, they are actually between a married couple. Lyne shows a true gift for directing intimacy; he steers the camera and emphasizes light changes to construct beautifully erotic love scenes. The two are happy, passionate, and poor as heck. In swoops Redford’s billionaire character, who offers the couple one million dollars for one night with Demi. (A brilliant touch by Lyne – he never shows the sex scene between the two.) Unfortunately both of them think it’s a good idea, and emotional disaster follows. Harrelson drives himself crazy wondering what happened that night, and the two break up.
You might be screaming at the screen at this point, “How could she do that? How could he let her?” Never fear. Lyne’s touching, tender finale to this film leaves you with a very different question: “Would I do that, too?”
Unfaithful (2002) This movie made me realize the necessity of getting a French boyfriend.
Olivier Martinez stars as every woman’s dream; Diane Lane is the woman who cannot help but sleep with him. Another film about a seemingly happy marriage destroyed by an affair, Unfaithful brings back all of the sexiness of 9 ½ Weeks while retaining the thriller aspects of Fatal Attraction and the thought-provoking qualities of Indecent Proposal.
This movie is filled with little jewels of cinematic genius. The most memorable is the first love scene between Connie (Lane) and Paul (Martinez). Filmed as a series of flashbacks during a long subway ride, Diane Lane remembers bits and pieces of their lovemaking while letting every emotion and memory pass wrenchingly over her face. Her alternate laughing and crying, cringing and smiling convey a tenderness and fear that is remarkable and thought-provoking.
The acting is superb, particularly with Richard Gere’s role as the insulted husband. Another breathtaking scene occurs after “the crisis” (you will see, watch the movie) at a social function that the married couple must attend. The two dance, slowly and tortuously, in the midst of all of their friends and family. All the pain and agony that can be imagined twist the actors’ faces with startling realism, and the quiet, intimate directing draws the viewer into this insanely private moment in their lives.
Unfaithful is probably my favorite of Lyne’s films. Its disturbing themes and heart-wrenching acting create a truly soulful, provocative film.
I realize that some people might consider these movies trashy and often horrendously farfetched, but I maintain that they are brilliant. A winning combination of touching sensuality, plot twists, violence and moral calamity make Adrian Lyne’s films a necessity for any movie buff’s collection.