On this day in History, September 18, 1987, 'Fatal Attraction' starring Michael Douglas releases
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Fatal Attraction', which released in US cinemas on September 18, 1987, is a thriller that revolves around a married man who engages in a brief romance with a woman.
This woman subsequently becomes deeply fixated on him and proceeds to relentlessly pursue and harass his family. Starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close, 'Fatal Attraction' proved to be a major success at the box office.
Additionally, it received six Academy Award nominations, which included nods for Best Picture, Best Director (Adrian Lyne), and Best Actress (Glenn Close).
Iconic Bunny boiling scene
One of the film's most iconic scenes involves Alex (played by Glenn Close), a single book editor, committing a notorious act: boiling the pet bunny of the young daughter of Douglas' character, Dan, a New York City attorney after their extramarital affair comes to an end.
'Fatal Attraction' transcended mere cinematic status, evolving into a significant cultural phenomenon that ignited discussions among viewers about the themes of marital infidelity.
With input from Nicholas Meyer, who directed and wrote 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan', Paramount producers Stanley R Jaffe and Sherry Lansing were confident that they possessed a promising erotic thriller.
The screenplay narrates the tale of Dan Gallagher (played by Michael Douglas), a married attorney in New York who believes he's engaged in a casual, commitment-free encounter with Alex Forrest (portrayed by Glenn Close), a publishing executive, while his wife, Beth (played by Anne Archer), and daughter are away. However, he couldn't be more mistaken.
Alex rapidly transforms into a dangerously fixated individual, targeting Dan and the obstacle presented by his wife.
The subsequent events, including Alex's infamous declaration, "I'm not going to be ignored, Dan," and the shocking incident involving a boiled pet rabbit, have etched their place in cinematic history.
Director Adrian Lyne's creative insights and box office triumph
“It was a very good script,” director Adrian Lyne said back in 1987, a week before the film’s release. “I was dying to know what else would this woman do, and when would the wife find out?”
There were no intimacy coordinators around when they shot the steamy scene that sets the plot in motion.
“I didn’t want to do their sex scene in bed because it’s so dreary,” Lyne said. “And I thought about the sink because I remembered I had once had sex with a girl over a sink, way back. The plates clank around and you’ll have a laugh. You always need a laugh in a sex scene,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Following adjustments to the initial conclusion, where Alex originally self-harmed by cutting her throat, the movie was released and received an extraordinary reception.
It dominated the box office for eight consecutive weeks, ranking as the second highest-grossing film of 1987, just behind 'Three Men and a Baby'.
It amassed an impressive $157 million in domestic earnings, which would equate to approximately $426 million today. The film also secured six Oscar nominations and garnered praise from a critic at THR, who described it as a “lean, riveting horror-of-personality movie.”
Michael Douglas: A storied career in film
Born on September 25, 1944, to renowned actor Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas made his mark in the 1970s with the hit TV series 'The Streets of San Francisco' and as the producer of the acclaimed film 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest' (1975), starring Jack Nicholson.
The latter earned five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In the 1980s, Douglas achieved blockbuster success with films like 'Romancing the Stone' (1984) and 'Wall Street' (1987), where he portrayed corporate raider Gordon Gekko.
Glenn Close: A versatile actress
Glenn Close, born on March 13, 1957, garnered acclaim in the 1980s with roles in films such as 'The World According to Garp' (1982) and 'The Big Chill' (1983).
She received Best Supporting Actress nominations for each. Close's impressive career also includes notable films like 'Dangerous Liaisons' (1988), 'Reversal of Fortune' (1990), and '101 Dalmatians' (1996).
Director Adrian Lyne's provocative filmography
Director Adrian Lyne, known for his provocative style, directed a series of notable films before and after 'Fatal Attraction'.
These include 'Flashdance' (1983), '9 1/2 Weeks' (1986), 'Indecent Proposal' (1993), 'Lolita' (1997), 'Unfaithful' (2002), and 'Deep Water' (2022), showcasing his penchant for daring storytelling.