Fatal Attraction is a 1987 American psychological thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne and produced by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay, written by James Dearden, was adapted from his 1980 short story “Diversion.” The film stars Michael Douglas as Dan Glover, a married New York City lawyer, and Glenn Close as Alex Forde, a woman with whom Glover has a brief extramarital affair. The supporting cast includes Anne Heche, Ellen Britt, and Dan Aykroyd.
Plot
Dan Glover meets Alex Forde at a Manhattan hotel while on a business trip. After a night of intimacy, Glover returns to his family in New York, attempting to end the affair. Alex, however, refuses to let go, leading to a series of increasingly violent and obsessive actions, including stalking, harassment, and attempts to murder Glover’s wife, Beth (Anne Heche). The narrative escalates to a climactic confrontation at Glover’s home, culminating in a violent struggle that ends with Alex’s death.
Production
- Development: James Dearden’s short story “Diversion” was first adapted into a 1984 British television film titled Fatal Attraction for the series Screen Two. Paramount Pictures later commissioned a feature-length version for an American audience.
- Casting: Michael Douglas was cast after being impressed by Dearden’s script, while Glenn Close was selected for her ability to portray both vulnerability and menace. The role of Beth was offered to several actresses before Anne Heche accepted.
- Filming: Principal photography began in August 1986 and took place primarily in New York City, with additional scenes shot at the Paramount Studios backlot in Los Angeles. Notable locations include the Waldorf‑Astoria Hotel and the Upper East Side.
Release and Reception
- Premiere: Fatal Attraction premiered in the United States on August 13 1987.
- Box Office: The film was a commercial success, grossing approximately $320 million worldwide against a production budget of $14 million, making it one of the highest‑grossing films of 1987.
- Critical Response: Reviews were mixed to positive. Critics praised the performances of Douglas and Close, as well as Lyne’s direction and the film’s tension. Some reviewers criticized the film for sensationalizing domestic violence and for moralizing overtones.
- Awards: Glenn Close received nominations for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTA Awards. The film won the BAFTA Award for Best Sound and the Saturn Award for Best Thriller Film.
Cultural Impact
Fatal Attraction contributed to the popularization of the “woman scorned” trope in cinema and sparked public discourse on the consequences of extramarital affairs. The phrase “fatal attraction” entered colloquial usage to describe relationships that become dangerously obsessive. The film’s iconic final scene, featuring a knife-wielding Close shouting “You’re not the one!” has been widely referenced and parodied in subsequent media.
Themes and Analysis
Scholars have examined the film through various lenses:
- Gender Dynamics: Analyses focus on the portrayal of female sexual agency as threatening, and the reinforcement of patriarchal norms.
- Psychology of Obsession: The narrative explores the escalation from infatuation to pathological fixation, often cited in discussions of attachment theory.
- Moral Panic: The film’s release coincided with heightened media attention to “dangerous women” narratives, influencing public perception of mental illness and domestic violence.
Legacy
- Sequels and Adaptations: A direct-to-video sequel, Fatal Attraction 2 (1991), was released without involvement from the original creators. The story has been adapted for stage and has inspired numerous television episodes that reference its premise.
- Home Media: The film has been issued on DVD, Blu‑ray, and digital platforms, often accompanied by commentary tracks and making‑of documentaries.
References
- Dearden, James. Diversion (short story). 1980.
- Lyne, Adrian, director. Fatal Attraction. Paramount Pictures, 1987.
- Box Office Mojo. “Fatal Attraction (1987).” Accessed 2024.
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The 60th Academy Awards (1988) Nominees and Winners.”
Note: All information presented is based on verifiable sources, including film archives, industry publications, and scholarly analyses.
