Review of Unfaithful (2009) by Stephen M — 20 Mar 2008

I give this film five stars SOLELY because of Diane Lane's performance.

Don't get me wrong. I, very much, like this movie. In fact, I am haunted by it. But when I first saw it, I felt like it was trying to be too many things. First I thought It was going to be a psychological study on infidelity; then I thought it was going to be a crime drama; then I thought it turned into a Lifetime Movie of the Week. No matter, I am still haunted by it. All of the actors do a good job; Lyne's interesting way of filming things makes it fascinating to watch (does everyone know about how he shoots scenes with smoke on the set so it will catch all the light?). Jan Kaczmarek's score is haunting, too; as haunting as Connie Sumner's deep longing.

It is worth saying: I am not turned on by heterosexual sex scenes but the ones in this film almost put me in my grave -- I THINK it is because of the deep psychological BS that accompanies these trysts infidele.

I must say that the way this film is made is less intellectually intriguing than the original French version; but it doesn't matter.

All that matters is every single moment that Diane Lane is onscreen.

I always loved her work but this film validated my belief in her. After the scene on the train I said "she will get an Oscar nomination".

And she did.