Review of Indecent Proposal (1993) by Andrew F — 22 Sep 2007

It is weird how some actors are just meant to be in bad, it?s like they can never make a decent picture. Like for Example Demi Moore who has a really small number of acceptable movies (only one great one which is Ghost). And Indecent Proposal is just another add to her not so distinguished filmographie which of course won?t live after her time or at any time what so ever.

The movie is about a couple (Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson) who is facing a lot of financial troubles due to the husband?s failure at his work as an architect. So one night they go to Las Vegas to take a chance on gambling, they win a lot the first night which is enough to pay some of their debts but they lose everything the next. And there they meet Robert Redford who is a billionaire and then comes the indecent Proposal. One night with Demi Moore for 1 million dollars. The movie has won worst picture and screenplay; I didn?t actually see that at the beginning of the movie coz it was actually a bit good. It followed a certain line although it was filled with clichés but still was interesting. But then when we get to the indecent proposal all that follows was dull, boring and stupid with many contradictions and writing flaws.

What should have been the highlight of the movie and the point of attraction was what happens between Redford and Moore when he takes her to complete what the indecent proposal proposed. But then the movie will leave you disappointed coz you won?t know what happened there. Not even a glimpse. Adrian Lyne did a very bad job as a director here. The movie lacked mood and atmosphere in most of its scenes. There was no accent on any emotions the characters were going through. We just see them passing through situations but do we go through them too? Nope not in this movie. Although the movie had the privilege of a score written by the genius himself John Barry but they didn?t even try to take advantage of it. The score was wonderful and it had John Barry?s sign all over it. Of course it wasn?t his best but it was still up to his name. Probably it was the only good thing about the movie.

The second half of the movie deals with the effect of that night between Redford and Moore on the marriage of Moore and Harrelson. Of course it was filled with sentimental clichés to begin with. And it suffered from a really big deal of bad writing put in the character of Woody Harrelson. All his emotions are unexplained and the character keeps on contradicting itself during the whole thing. And the ending was just pathetic makes you sad because of the fact that you watched the whole so called movie to get to this ending.

Demi Moore was of course nominated for worst actress here, but I really didn?t think it deserved this nomination. Of course she had her moments where she was plain Moore giving the worst she can but for the rest she was just ok. Robert Redford was the leader between the trio with a classy and elegant performance like his character. But I really felt sorry for Woody Harrelson; he made a joke of himself here. His facial expressions resembled to ones of a baby and the way he was acting and reacting was so immature. I couldn?t believe that a grown man was giving such a performance.