Review of Fatal Attraction (1987) by Nikolai E — 01 Dec 2009

It works as a cautionary tale because the only clearly 'wrong' decision Michael Douglas' character makes is to have an affair at all. He doesn't make promises he can't keep, he's honest, he's sensitive, all-told he runs this seemingly harmless fling like a seasoned pro.

That fact just barely keeps him within range of the audience's sympathy, so we want things to turn out well for him even though we know he deserves whatever he gets. The stakes slowly build with no way out for the entire film, so the horror movie finale feels earned.

I don't think this is best picture material, but it's one heck of an elevated genre flick.