Fatal Attraction (1987)

A married man's one night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins to stalk him and his family.

Director:

Adrian Lyne

Writers:

James Dearden (screenplay), James Dearden (short film)

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Douglas	...	Dan Gallagher
Glenn Close	...	Alex Forrest
Anne Archer	...	Beth Gallagher
Ellen Hamilton Latzen	...	Ellen Gallagher
Stuart Pankin	...	Jimmy
Ellen Foley	...	Hildy
Fred Gwynne	...	Arthur
Meg Mundy	...	Joan Rogerson
Tom Brennan	...	Howard Rogerson
Lois Smith	...	Martha
Mike Nussbaum	...	Bob Drimmer
J.J. Johnston	...	O'Rourke
Michael Arkin	...	Lieutenant
Sam Coppola	...	Fuselli (as Sam J. Coppola)
Eunice Prewitt	...	Receptionist

Storyline

Happily married New York lawyer Dan Callagher has an affair with his colleague Alex, and the two enjoy a love weekend while Dan's wife and kid are away. But Alex will not let go of him, and she will stop at nothing to have him for herself. Just how far will she go to get what she wants?.

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Plot Keywords:

new york | sexual obsession | cuckolded husband | fondling | wronged wife | 

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Taglines:

A look that led to an evening. A mistake he'll regret...FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Diversion

Filming Locations:

400 East 14th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$156,645,693 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital (5.1 surround)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While talking with David Letterman on Late Show with David Letterman, Emma Thompson referred to auditioning for the role of Alex (it was in the context of a story she was telling). Letterman asked if she really did audition and she said 'yes'.

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Goofs

In the final bathroom scene, the bloody knife becomes clean when knocked on the floor.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Beth Gallagher: [to Ellen] You better get going, kiddo. You're gonna be late.

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Crazy Credits

Barbara Harris is sometimes credited under the name Barbara Iley. In the final credits here, under 'Party Guests', she is credited under both names.

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Connections

Referenced in 'Halloween': A Cut Above the Rest (2003)

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Soundtracks

"WHEN I FALL IN LOVE"
(1952)
Music by Victor Young
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Performed by Bill Evans Trio
Courtesy of Riverside Records

User Reviews

Close Call For Douglas

I've re-watched it on DVD and it's still an amazing, unforgettable nightmare film, spawning countless imitators and a multitude of discussion. Glenn Close will forever be identified as the unhinged colleague of married with child Michael Douglas who have a brief fling that Douglas lives to regret. Close should have won the Academy Award for her electrifying portrayal of an attractive, seemingly ground woman who eventually lashes out in acid-spewing, bunny-boiling, knife-wielding hysteria. Douglas is equally effective, beautifully conveying increasing angst and guilt. The subject was done before in at least "Possessed" (1947) and "Play Misty For Me" (1971), but not quite as effective and engrossing as this well-directed thriller. I definitely prefer the panic-stricken theatrical ending to the overly low-key and unexciting original cut. See it with a significant other!