Review of Fatal Attraction (1987) by Robyn M — 09 Aug 2012

A very entertaining picture with a slight problem. The problem I notice was at the end because basically the film moves into the cheesy horror genre. You know like the crazy, psychotic nympho who is believed to be dead but is given a ressurection. Uh-huh. I am not sure if that was the right move and the studios had a very difficult time deciding on how to end the picture faithfully since test audiences were basically grumpy. Too bad the test audiences weren't reasonable film critics who no doubt would have given the filmmakers reasonable possiblities. Heck, even Glenn Close wanted to keep the original ending as was intended in the script and I felt she was right. Maybe if they had kept the original ending the picture would have worked in a more serious manner but sadly fades out...

Dispite the shocking flaw I was still intrigued and fascinated between Glenn Close and Michael Douglas. Particularly more for Close because she really found the character in her performance and she's truely brilliant. I saw Close's character as a female Max Cady who can secretly enter anyone's home unnoticed, stalking her predators by either phonening, stalking or giving slight clues to her demands. And as the secretive, intelligent shark in "Jaws", relentless and sharp. That's Alex Forrest alright. Too bad her character doesn't become the winner at the end because, well in a weird way she whole heartedly deserves it. If I had directed the picture I would have had Alex Forrest enjoy the moment of motherhood. If she can't have Dan Gallagher (Douglas) she would have been able to have his child. Call it even maybe.

"Fatal Attraction" paved the way for other films such as "Cape Fear", "Basic Instinct", "Single White Female", "Chloe", and "Obsessed". I am not sure if the film has blossomed on it's own over the years, but I wouldn't have a problem watching this picture again and again. "Fatal Attraction" is fun and it's more fun watching Glenn Close's character during the suspense and the action.