Money can’t buy happiness, but apparently it can buy you one night with Demi
Editor’s Note: I admit, that was probably not the most appropriate headline, but oh, well (is Ashton going to come down to Kentucky and kick my butt? Puh-lease. Keep snapping your photos).
Before all three actors fell out of favor with their fans and Hollywood (or in Redford’s case, just got really old), they put together this gem of a film called Indecent Proposal. Directed by the same man who terrified adulterous men across the country with Fatal Attraction, Adrian Lyne put together a story that posed the question of what’s more important money or love? For all of those folks out there who are married, you clearly understand the importance of both. In typical American tradition, money is the root of all-evil, which is what the film says in a sense. It comes in two different forms, as you see Woody Harrelson’s David Murphy basically putting his wife up for sale for one night because they are financially strapped for cash. Demi Moore’s Diana Murphy isn’t innocent in this deal either, as she agrees to do this so that her marriage to David can be saved. It’s touching in a sense, as a couple will do anything to make sure their marriage survives. Redford’s John Gage is the man buying the services of Diana for one night and somehow convinces her that he can offer her a better life than what David can do. At this point, the deal turns into a love triangle where all parties really regret their decision (maybe not Redford’s character).
When this film hit the theaters it was just as controversial as Fatal Attraction. The country was still getting out of the Regan years, where conservatives ruled the earth. The very idea of a man pawning his wife off to a stranger for one million dollars appalled most critics, which is hilarious because most critics sold their entertainment integrity for money eons ago (not me, I’m completely open-minded). In all seriousness, this film didn’t do as well as it could namely because of where America was at the time. If it had come out in the late 90s, it probably would have been less controversial. Of course, Lyne is no stranger to controversy, so there’s a great chance he enjoyed the good/bad press over the story. Anyway, if you had asked me 15 years ago if people would ever actually do this sort of thing, I would have answered ‘no way’. The story, at the time, seemed extremely far-fetched. Who in their right-mind would sell their wife for one night for money? Nowadays, I’m not sure this is far-fetched. I think that if a couple is desperate enough, especially in this economic climate, it would be very believable.
Politics aside, I think the story is well crafted and contains a bunch of emotion bottled up in the situation. You understand how painful it is for Diana to go through with the ordeal, but her love for her husband and understanding of the situation leads her to do what she believes is right. It’s a tough decision, as sex with someone is definitely based on some sort of emotional connection. If she was a prostitute, it would be different (and I’m not joking — and no, I don’t know this first-hand). She is a dedicated wife who has to go through with this for the sake of their marriage. Again, this is no easy decision. Of course, you’ll want to hate David for convincing his wife to do this, but after you see what he goes through (and Lyne really lays it on the line visually) you understand it’s equally as painful. Now, as for John Gage, he’s just a heartless bastard. We’ll leave it at that.
The only knock I have on the film is that it can be tough to believe the first time around. It also makes the viewer extremely uncomfortable, much like Lyne’s other film Fatal Attraction. Expect to have a knot in your stomach and feel a bit sick at times. It’s okay to go through this as it’s basically the natural progression of watching a film by Lyne. Anyway, let’s move on to the format it’s presented in.
I have no clever Blu-ray headline here
The transfer from film to Blu-ray looks to be nearly seamless. There is some graininess in the picture, but just a small amount. In the next few weeks, I’m doing a Q/A with some Blu-ray folk and will be able to give you a full explanation of why that is, but right now just know that while it certainly does look better than the DVD, you will see some artifacts. As for the sound, it’s good stuff, but not really powerful like an action film. Still, it’s remastered in excellent fashion.
As for the features, you only get director commentary. It’s not bad, but I wish there was a bit more to it.