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‘Fatal Attraction’ With Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin, and Wesley Morris | The Rewatchables
August 20, 2019 · Fatal Attraction (1987) · Drama · Thriller · 1:49:26
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Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsGlenn Close — Agreed that the underlying theme was producers didn't feel Glenn Close was sexy enough for the part and she had to prove she could be sexy▶ 7:48
Mallory RubinGlenn Close — Discussed that there are many casting what-ifs for all roles, especially Alex and Dan, and focused on how Glenn Close had to prove she could bring sexuality to the role since nobody thought she could▶ 6:56
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsThe sink sex scene (which he calls 'Mallory's sink-sack scene') and the dinner conversation where they discuss having an affair▶ 42:56
Mallory RubinThe sink sex scene - she breaks down the detailed mechanics of the water, dishes, and sexual positions in extensive detail▶ 43:19
Wesley MorrisSupports the sink sex scene discussion, focusing on Michael Douglas's facial expressions during sex and Glenn Close's physical command of space, particularly in the elevator scene▶ 44:05
What's Aged the Best
Bill SimmonsThe boiling bunny joke (30 years of references), the meat packing district setting, and Dan's 'you're such a fucking asshole' face in the hospital▶ 1:08:05
Wesley MorrisThe elevator scene and the dinner conversation scene where Alex lays it all out▶ 1:08:48
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsBurt Reynolds turned down the Dan Gallagher role, Christopher Reeve also turned it down, Andie MacDowell was considered for Beth Gallagher, Brian De Palma signed on but didn't want Michael Douglas so they chose Douglas over De Palma, John Carpenter was next choice but thought it was too close to Play Misery for Me▶ 1:11:45
Mallory RubinBrian De Palma signed on but didn't want to do it unless they got rid of Michael Douglas▶ 1:13:04
Wesley MorrisProvided analysis on why Christopher Reeve wouldn't have worked in the role, discussing how the movie requires spontaneity and physicality rather than moral struggle scenes▶ 1:12:01
What's Aged the Worst
Bill SimmonsThe line about being 36 and running out of time to have children; elementary school pickup security being non-existent; old technology like landlines and operators; and the movie ripping off Play Misty for Me▶ 1:20:26
Mallory RubinThe absence of modern technology (doorbell cams, webcams would solve the plot instantly); Dan's behavior and lack of accountability; the representation of Alex's mental health▶ 1:21:49
Wesley Morris1987 attitudes about pregnancy and age; the elementary school security as an indictment of whiteness (just letting any white woman pick up a child)▶ 1:20:46
Joey Pants Award
Bill SimmonsStuart Pankin — Stuart Penkin (Michael Douglas' heavy friend who is dialed up and overacting throughout)▶ 1:24:38
Mallory RubinStuart Pankin — Stuart Penkin (agrees with Bill, specifically praising his overacting in the whisper scene in the law library)▶ 1:24:54
Apex Mountain
Bill SimmonsMichael Douglas — Yes for Michael Douglas (1987 with Fatal Attraction and Wall Street, wins Oscar for Wall Street), Yes for Anne Archer, Yes for Bedford New York, Yes for psychotic female villains, Yes for Adrian Lyne (director), Yes for cool elevators▶ 1:27:46
Mallory RubinAdrian Lyne — Yes for Adrian Lyne as director (best movie he ever made, on heels of Nine and a Half Weeks), discusses psychotic female villains category noting it has a 'coaching tree' of imitators▶ 1:31:37
Wesley MorrisGlenn Close — Yes for Glenn Close (biggest commercial movie though not her best performance - prefers Dangerous Liaisons the following year), Yes for Adrian Lyne as director, Yes for cool elevators▶ 1:28:05
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsHow does Beth maintain her job while dealing with all the stalking incidents - assumes it happened on weekends▶ 1:35:17
Mallory RubinWhy doesn't Beth leave the house and make Dan stay in the place that was broken into by someone trying to harm them▶ 1:35:39
Wesley MorrisDiscusses the subtext about traditional gender roles and homemaker responsibilities explaining Beth's behavior, rather than identifying a specific plot hole▶ 1:36:01
Picking Nits
Mallory RubinIf you know someone is trying to come for you, you don't stay in the place that person just infiltrated▶ 1:36:31
Wesley MorrisThe character's belief that her 'bitch, come for me' phone call threat would actually work▶ 1:36:38
Best Quote
Bill SimmonsThe quote sequence: 'I feel you. I taste you. I thank you. I touch you. Can you understand? Can you?' - noting it would cause him to get in a car accident▶ 1:41:20
Wesley MorrisSpecifically highlights 'I taste you' from the same sequence, calling it 'so good'▶ 1:41:37
Movies Referenced (27)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Hell (2001) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 18 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | ▶ 10:22 |
| Gone Girl (2014) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin | ▶ 11:02 |
| Wall Street (1987) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | ▶ 19:56 |
| Basic Instinct (1992) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 19:56 |
| Play Misty for Me (1971) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | ▶ 39:37 |
| Beverly Hills Cop (1984) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:06:26 |
| Jaws (1975) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 18:44 |
| Misery (1990) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 17:09 |
| Psycho (1960) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris, Mallory Rubin | ▶ 1:05:00 |
| The Apartment (1960) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin | ▶ 33:35 |
| The Father (2020) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 46:30 |
| Blade Runner (1982) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Wesley Morris | ▶ 1:33:44 |
Directors Referenced (5)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clint Eastwood | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Unforgiven | ▶ 39:29 |
| Brian De Palma | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Mallory Rubin, Bill Simmons | Body Double, Dressed to Kill, The Bonfire of the Vanities | ▶ 1:13:04 |
| Adrian Lyne | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Wesley Morris | Jacob's Ladder, Indecent Proposal | ▶ 1:13:27 |
| David Fincher | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Mallory Rubin | Se7en, Gone Girl, Zodiac | ▶ 1:26:50 |
| John Carpenter | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Halloween | ▶ 1:13:13 |
Actors Referenced (53)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Close | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 52 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris, Mallory Rubin | Fatal Attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy | ▶ 3:00 |
| Michael Douglas | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 46 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons, Mallory Rubin | Wall Street, Romancing the Stone | ▶ 4:20 |
| Anne Archer | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 27 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris, Mallory Rubin | Fatal Attraction, Patriot Games | ▶ 15:48 |
| Sally Field | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | Lincoln, Forrest Gump | ▶ 1:10:48 |
| Harrison Ford | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Mallory Rubin, Wesley Morris | Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, The Fugitive | ▶ 24:00 |
| Will Smith | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | Men in Black, I Am Legend | ▶ 26:20 |
| Christopher Reeve | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | ▶ 1:11:49 | |
| Dominique Swain | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Wesley Morris, Bill Simmons | Face/Off, Alpha Dog | ▶ 29:50 |
| Ivana Basic | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 19:56 | |
| Jagged Edge | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | Big Momma's House, Hardball | ▶ 5:09 |
| Jodie Foster | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Wesley Morris | The Silence of the Lambs, Taxi Driver | ▶ 1:28:16 |
| Sally Kirkland | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | The Sting | ▶ 30:31 |
Writers Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Dearden | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Mallory Rubin | Fatal Attraction | ▶ 55:28 |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 30:54 |
Cinematographers Referenced (2)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Grantland | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | The Other Guys | ▶ 10:15 |
| Will Dearborn | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Mallory Rubin | Venom, The Killer | ▶ 55:28 |