DVD Reviews

Fatal Attraction - Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Jun 15, 2009, 13:17 GMT

Stylish and sexy, Fatal Attraction took audiences to terrifying new heights with its thrilling story of a casual encounter gone terribly awry. This box-office smash was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (Adrian Lyne—Indecent Proposal, Flashdance). Michael Douglas plays Dan Gallagher, a New York attorney who has a tryst with seductive Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) while his wife (Anne Archer) is away. Dan later shrugs ...more

The horror film for guys thinking about having an affair might be the proper subtitle for this one.  However, the 1987 thriller would go on to be a box office smash as well as pick up six Academy Award nods and give new meaning to the term rabbit stew.

Daniel (Michael Douglas) and Beth (Anne Archer) Gallagher seem to have the perfect marriage.  However, when Beth and their daughter Ellen (Ellen Hamilton Latzen) go out of town for the weekend, Daniel meets Alex Forrest (Glenn Close). 

The two seem to hit it off immediately as they soon humping in the kitchen.  Daniel thinks of their encounter as a simple fling, but Alex has other plans as she starts to stalk him.  Even when the family moves out of town Alex follows and threatens to do much more than tell his wife.  

Many a man has kept his pants zipped after watching this movie.  I suppose it’s a male fantasy for sex without consequences, but Fatal Attraction showed us that sometimes a clandestine sexual encounter could end with the bunny boiling on the stove (or course the rabbit died could also have a different meaning entirely). 

Call it a preventative horror film.  Psycho made you not want to take a shower and Fatal Attraction caused many a husband not to stray.  The film was one of the big money makers of 1987, was critically acclaimed, and still shows up on top lists of thrillers (in 2003 Alex Forest even showed up on AFI’s 100 Greatest Movie Heroes and Villains placing seventh). 

You may not encounter a Jason Voorhees on your next trip to the woods, but it’s a higher possibility that you might meet a lady on your trip out of town and fall into an affair.  That greater possibility of reality is what makes Fatal Attraction resonant still today.  The performances are also a highlight. 

Michael Douglas is highly believable in the role and Glenn Close would be nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal as would Anne Archer (the film would also get nods for best director, editing, screenplay, and best picture, but would win none). It does go more conventional horror at the end (a less suspenseful alternative ending is included), but the film still causes you to set up and take notice.  

Fatal Attraction is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (1.85:1).  Special features include a commentary by director Adrian Lyne.  The high definition special features include the 11 minute alternate ending.  Lyne introduces this ending, but that section is in standard definition. 

The 1 minute theatrical trailer is also in high def.  The remainder of the special features are in standard definition.  The 28 minute “Forever Fatal” is about making the film, the 10 minute “Social Attraction” discusses the reaction to the film, the 19 minute “Visual Attraction” looks at the production design, and there is 7 minutes of rehearsal footage with Close and Archer.  

The turning upside down of male fantasy might be the reason that Fatal Attraction continues to attract today.  The performances are what you’ll come back for with Close showing us a descent into madness and Douglas and Archer getting caught up in it.  

Fatal Attraction [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon. Visit the DVD database for more information.