Unfaithful (2002)

Director:

Adrian Lyne

Writers (WGA):

Claude Chabrol (film "La Femme infidèle" written by)
Alvin Sargent (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 May 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Where do you go when you've gone too far?

Plot:

A New York suburban couple's marriage goes dangerously awry when the wife indulges in an adulterous fling.

Plot Keywords:

Taxi | Confession | Chest | Book Seller | Remake

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 8 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Jan. 2	1:30 PM	MyNetwork
Sat. Jan. 9	2:30 PM	Fox

Cast

Diane Lane	...	Connie Sumner
Erik Per Sullivan	...	Charlie Sumner
Richard Gere	...	Ed Sumner
Olivier Martinez	...	Paul Martel
Myra Lucretia Taylor	...	Gloria
Michelle Monaghan	...	Lindsay
Chad Lowe	...	Bill Stone
Joseph Badalucco Jr.	...	Train conductor
Erich Anderson	...	Bob Gaylord
Damon Gupton	...	Other businessman
Kate Burton	...	Tracy
Margaret Colin	...	Sally
Marc Forget	...	Café bartender
Larry Gleason	...	Tim
Dominic Chianese	...	Frank Wilson

Also Known As:

Infidèle (France)
Untreu (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, language and a scene of violence.

Runtime:

124 min | Spain:125 min

Country:

USA | Germany | France

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

France:-12 | South Korea:18 | Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Peru:14 | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (edited for re-rating) | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Dobbs Ferry, New York, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

Brad Pitt and Ryan Phillippe were offered the role of Paul. However during pre-production, the producers decided that Paul be French rather than American, so Olivier Martinez received the part.

Goofs:

Continuity: Connie is in front of the fireplace burning pictures. She has one burning picture in each hand when Edward walks in. In the next shot of Connie (a close-up), she raises her empty right hand to her face. As we pull back, the pictures and envelope are no longer in front of her.

Quotes:

Connie Sumner: I think this was a mistake.
Paul: There is no such thing as a mistake. There are things you do, and things you don't do.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The O.C.: The Swells (#3.6)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Music From Futurama

Drama as Art...

I have read alot of reviews here that expressed displeasure for this film based on the notion that this was basically "softcore porn for housewives" and had nothing new to offer it's audience. Ok, granted; this is not the most original film/script ever written, but I think that many reviews (both Professional and Ametuer alike) have missed the point of this film. Behind the obvious guise of a morality tale showing what can happen if you stray from your marital vows, there is a rather amazing piece of art to be seen. This film is not about marital infedelity, but, rather, about DRAMA. This is what we in the Theater refer to as Drama As Art, meaning that the plot is less important than the impact that the various plot points have on the characters, creating more and more and more drama as the story unfolds. As is the great ballets or stage plays ('Giselle', 'Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolf', 'Swan Lake' 'A Streetcar Name Desire'), the DRAMA is the star of the production, not the actors or the plot lines.

And in this respect, 'Unfaithful' excells! Watch carfully as the world slowly turns itself upside down and rips itself to shreds around these two people based on a SINGLE MOMENT IN TIME (the first scene outside of his apartment: Should she go in? Should she go home? One choice, one mopment in time, a world of difference). Based on her choice(s), the drama begins to build to a point when, at the end of the film, the DRAMA is the star, not Geer and Lane. And Drama does a fine job holding this otherwise middle-of-the-road film above the frey.