Μύ It was the 80s thriller that had people talking for months, and spawned the handy phrase 'bunny boiler'. Years later and this film still shocks and while Paramount may originally have turned it down, they do the movie justice with a sizzling DVD release.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture The pale, slightly washed-out colour scheme of this taut thriller is transferred to disc with a smooth veneer that takes years off its appearance.
Sound Maurice Jarre's music score only really gets going towards the later stages of the film, and that's when you'll notice what's otherwise a subdued 5.1 sound mix.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary Adrian Lyne's audio commentary is the one weak special feature of this DVD. He's quite honest in saying that he may have trouble remembering much about the shoot, and as such, there are some long silences. You can though use this track to dip in for the major scenes, where Lyne usually has a recollection worth listening to, especially during the sexier moments.
Forever Fatal: Remembering "Fatal Attraction" All the big cast and crew names are here for this 30-minute documentary on the making of a surprise classic. What's initially quite shocking is that every single major studio in Hollywood turned the project down at least twice, as did 26 directors. Producers Stanley Jaffe and Sherry Lansing discuss how trying to get the backing for a film where the husband commits adultery within the first ten minutes, was in danger of killing the project completely
Glenn Close and Michael Douglas talk frankly about the sex scenes, while Jaffe reveals that he was initially nervous at hiring Adrian Lyne to direct. Lyne ended up shooting an alternative ending to the movie, and this is covered in some detail along with opinions as to whether it was the right choice.
Social Attraction In this ten-minute featurette we get a look into the furore that this film created amongst the feminist movement, and an appraisal by psychiatrists on Glenn Close's character. One doctor says that Alex (Close) is the victim of the film, while another declares that all the characters are victims. It's left to Sherry Lansing to get to the root of the film with her claim that, "sex is dangerous". It certainly is anytime that Michael Douglas is around!
Visual Attraction Stylishly shot, "Fatal Attraction" has aged well and in this 19-minute featurette we get a look at the visual design of the movie from the set dressings to the cinematography.
Rehearsal Footage Adrian Lyne introduces rehearsal footage that includes Douglas and Close meeting for the first time to read through a scene. Even early on in the project they had the parts nailed, and Close is impressive in her interpretation of her role.
Alternate Ending Adrian Lyne is again on hand for introduction duties, and this time it's for the original ending to the film. Quieter and rather more downbeat, it will be viewed by many film critics as a better end than the operatic and frantic replacement, but audiences would likely not have been so pleased.
Additional Extra Features Also on the disc is the original theatrical trailer.
Region: 2
Chapters: 17
Ratio: 1.78:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, multiple languages and subtitles, and English captions for the hearing impaired.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
