- Film Review
- Reviewed By John Ferguson
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4 out of 5
This is the movie that, among other things, helped create a new genre: the crazed female from hell (see Basic Instinct, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and The Crush for prime examples). Glenn Close plays the obsessed woman driven to extreme lengths when she discovers that Michael Douglas is not going to leave his wife (Anne Archer) for her. Close is excellent in a thankless role, while Douglas established himself as the troubled icon of middle-class America, the ordinary man who would later find himself getting out of his depth in the likes of Falling Down and Disclosure. The movie's message (it's all right to have an affair as long as it's not with a nutcase) is more than a little dubious, but there is no denying its slick power and director Adrian Lyne milks the tension for all it's worth. However, he had to reshoot the movie's climax after test audiences gave the thumbs down to his first ending.
Plot Summary
Thriller starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close and Anne Archer. While his wife and daughter are away, Manhattan lawyer Dan Gallagher has a passionate fling with Alex Forrest, an unmarried woman he meets at a publishing party. It is an affair that is to have terrifying consequences for Gallagher and his family.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Dan Gallagher
- Michael Douglas (1)
- Alex Forrest
- Glenn Close
- Beth Gallagher
- Anne Archer
- Ellen Gallagher
- Ellen Hamilton Latzen
- Jimmy
- Stuart Pankin
- Hildy
- Ellen Foley
- Arthur
- Fred Gwynne
- Joan Rogerson
- Meg Mundy
- Howard Rogerson
- Tom Brennan
- Martha
- Lois Smith
- Bob Drimmer
- Mike Nussbaum
- O'Rourke
- J J Johnston
- Lieutenant
- Michael Arkin
- Fuselli
- Sam J Coppola
- Receptionist
- Eunice Prewitt
- Babysitter
- Jane Krakowski
- Real estate agent
- Justine Johnston
- Teacher
- Mary Joy
- Teacher
- Christine Farrell
- Chuck
- Mark McQue
Crew
- Director
- Adrian Lyne
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