Unfaithful

One can't help but notice a few parallels between Adrian Lyne's Unfaithful and his earlier film Fatal Attraction. Both, after all, focus on the dangerous side of extramarital affairs. However, the differences are just as noticeable.

Connie Sumner (Diane Lane) has a respectable life. Her husband Edward (Richard Gere) loves her and she seems content with her status as a stay-at-home mom. Then she meets Paul (Oliver Martinez), which starts off friendly then quickly becomes something else.

Here's where the parallels with Fatal Attraction come in. Like Dan, Connie probably started the affair with Paul just to change things up. She probably got bored with being a wife and mother, and maybe Paul makes her feel younger.

And the differences come into play now. Unlike Dan, Connie can't bring herself to end the affair. In fact, she's more like Alex in regards with the affair. (She lashes out violently when she sees Paul with another woman.) And saying the two films vary violence-wise...well, it depends strictly on one's viewpoint.

Unfaithful has its flaws amongst the script and character structure but it makes up with the performances from Lane and Gere. Lyne, although he provides a better view with Fatal Attraction, gives his audience a look at how poisonous infidelity can become.

My Rating: ****

Fatal Attraction

The most common type of horror movie villain is what I affectionately call the "psycho bitch". You know, the woman who is so mentally unhinged she will do anything drastic to get what she wants.

The most famous example is Glenn Close's Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction. Close is one of the best actresses working today and Alex is her most famous role. For good reason too. She appears to be a pleasant person, but one look into her hollow eyes proves otherwise. As much as I like Cher in Moonstruck, her work pales in comparison to Close's.

It's the small details of Fatal Attraction that makes it work. Take note that Alex's apartment, most of her clothing and possessions are white. However, she is anything but pure. The first time we see her, we almost pick up immediately that she's trouble with a capital T. Too bad Dan (Michael Douglas) doesn't pick up on it.

Fatal Attraction is a very effective thriller, but it loses something when Close isn't on screen. This movie probably made men think twice before having an affair. (Close said that people thank her for saving their marriages.) One more thing about Close. Two words to describe she means business: bunny boiler.

My Rating: ****1/2