I jsut saw it a few days ago on DVD and I have to say, it reached me. I think Diane Lane was flawless, the sex scenes were gorgeously staged, and even though the story arc was kinda trite, I think it was very well played. It resonated with me, and is still playing in my head. That’s alot more than alot of movies manage to do.
I really enjoyed it.
Anyone with me on this?
I haven’t seen that one, but I’m not embarrassed about anything I like. So what if someone thinks the movies/whatever I like are stupid? Screw 'em.
I proudly own Titanic, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and Twister on DVD, plus a lot of other movies people don’t like. And I watch them, too.
It was viewed as a good but not great film by many critics (e.g., 3*s by Ebert, still thumbs up).
But…
Diane Lane was voted best actress for her role by the NY Film Critics. Ergo, nothing to be ashamed about. Quite the opposite.
I saw the movie on a whim at the dollar cinema, and I really liked it. It’s not they type of film I generally go and see, but I found it to be rather enjoyable. From the previews and whatnot, you could gather what would happen, but I enjoyed the way the story progressed after the “big shocker,” and the ending really left me and my date wondering how things turned out.
So yeah, no need to be ashamed. It was a good movie, and one I probably wouldn’t mind seeing again.
Yeah I thoroughly enjoyed it. The way the emotional content of the ending was underplayed was pretty bloody clever.
I was very caught up in the affair, but also in the rest of what happened. Jesus, how do you ever get over that?
[spoiler] I know we’ve seen cuckolds kill their rivals before, but this one seemed somehow much more believable to me. It wasn’t planned, I don’t think the character even intended to kill the guy, it was just an expression of rage. And it came across to me as very real, very oh-my-god-that’s-what-it’s-probably-like kind of feeling.
The emotional processes that the couple went through, and Lane’s character…I say again, Jesus fuck, how would you EVER forgive yourself? How could you ever get over what you had done for the sake of sexual thrills? Cuz even though we all have to take responsibility for ourselves (hence Gere’s character has to take responsibility for himself) there is no question that no such thing could have happened without her choices.
The scene where she imagines having simply gotten in a taxi instead of going upstairs killed me…if only, if only.
Question: if you had been Gere, would you have called the cops right away? I would have…no balls at all and I would have just done my best to paint the picture perfectly. I think he might have gotten off with probation or just a short sentence plus probation. Thoughts? [/spoiler]
I don’t know if I’d call the cops or not. It’s easiest to explain the story right away like that than to wait till after they find out one’s tried to cover up a murder and then you have to try and defend yourself. Then again, I don’t have a child to support as well, so who know’s how hard I’d fight.
One thing I did kinda notice that got me (nitpick warning)…he started dialing 911, right? But stopped at 91. That sets up a panic alarm at the police station/wherever those calls go, and they send someone out RIGHT AWAY!! They view it as a stopped attempt to call, like if someone started to dial 911, but was prevented from completing the call. I know, when I transfered my computer from my dorm to my parents’ one summer, the dial-up would dial a 9 to cancel out call waitinn, then a 1 for the 800 number, then cut off. Twice we had patrol cars show up to make sure my dad wasn’t beating my mom. So yeah, knowing that, if I picked up the phone and started to dial, I’d be pretty damned committed to sticking it out.
Really? I had no idea! (re the 91 dial)
I thought the sex scenes were beautiful. I was mad at him for killing her sexy lover, but truthfully, I found the rest of it kind of boring.
Stoidbaby, be embarrassed if you liked Lethal Weapon 4 or Far and Away. Otherwise, watch with impugnity; I shall not mock you.
Boscibo dear, since you live so nearby I will not rise to the bait. 
The good news is that we can have disagreements in matters of taste and still respect each other. Except for the movies mentioned at the beginning of this post. You will be mightily mocked; yea mightily.
Diane Lane naked? No shame in liking that!
One quibble, though. I really have to wonder if the wife would really show such appallingly bad judgment in giving such a sentimental keepsake, beloved of her husband, to the lover. It’s what directly causes the murder!
I mean, just have sex with him. You don’t have to give him stuff too!
** tclouie, ** I had an enormous problem with that myself. It was the definition of plot contrivance. But I was so into the mood and feel of the thing that I forgave it.
My main problem with the movie is the attempt to “spice up” the story with a homicide. I think the basic premise can be made interesting enough without that added dramatic element.
More proof that every woman’s fantasy is to be sexually degraded by Eurotrash with permanent three-day stubble. I’m sort of surprised they didn’t make him a singer/guitarist in a grunge band for symmetry.