MovieChat Forums > Fatal Attraction (1987) Discussion > Why Fatal Attraction is pointless, stupi...

Why Fatal Attraction is pointless, stupid, and misogynistic

posted 10 years ago by dhinged
30 replies | jump to latest

If you're triggered, feel free to call me an SJW and move on.

I saw this movie years ago when I first started Netflix as I was going through "classics". I was expecting the ultimate "Basic Instinct", but what I got instead was a movie unable to justify its own existence, and a woman-hating one at that.

Michael Douglas' character Dan Gallagher had a perfectly fine life with a good marriage, a stable relationship with his wife, nice kids, whatever, but of course having a lot of money and all these other things weren't good enough for this privileged jerk, he was fed up and disappointed that he wasn't banging some random woman.

So he leads her on, she falls in love with him, and then when she tries to have a relationship with him, he dumps her cold, she goes psycho, and tries to kill him in a bathroom.

Yes, she's psycho, but the movie basically puts all of the blame on her and nothing on him as he gets off scott-free with his marriage intact, his wife breathing a sigh of relief that person who killed her daughter's rabbit and almost her is gone.

She should be glad that it wasn't worse from this woman her husband brought into her life, right? He's a good man, I'm sure they had the best sex of their lives that night.

[–] highpriestess32 10 years ago

You write very well and welcome to the board!

It is a shame that Dan was seen as the good guy considering his actions. I have seen this movie numerous times and may be looking too deeply into it but I think we are supposed to deduce that sex wasn't happening too often in the Gallagher household. This affords the audience a little frustration but at no time do we feel that Dan made the right choices.

He was a middle-aged man with a young child and on two occasions we are given clues as to how difficult it is for intimacy.The first was after the book-signing party when he returns from walking the dog, Quincey to find that his wife, Beth had their daughter in the marital bed. She says "It's just for tonight, honey" but the following day we know Beth is going away so it sets us up to think he is feeling slightly deprived.

The second time is when Beth is pampering herself prior to their home dinner party. Dan starts to admire her and caress her and then the doorbell sounds. But hey ho, welcome to married life lol.

This still doesn't justify his actions but was an essential plot device. He at no point lead Alex on, however. If you recall, SHE was the instigator. She misled him into thinking she demanded discretion so he thought he could have carte blanche to sleep with her and get away with it. She manipulated him to a larger degree. She quizzed him about the fact he was a lawyer and said "I guess you need to be discreet - are you?". He thought he could have a one night stand. Alex set out to "steal" him, in the full knowledge that he was married.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

[–] Sugarminx 10 years ago

He at no point lead Alex on, however. If you recall, SHE was the instigator. She misled him into thinking she demanded discretion so he thought he could have carte blanche to sleep with her and get away with it

Absolutely correct. This is the issue I wanted to address.

Alex: "...and are you?"

Dan: "am I what?"

Alex: "discreet"

By saying that, she leads him to believe that she wants something very low-profile. She lulls in into a false sense of security, if you will.

He's an idiot. No question. You don't feel sorry for him because he got caught out, you feel sorry that he got mixed up with someone who was so unhinged that she became a physical threat to his family.

So put some spice in my sauce, honey in my tea, an ace up my sleeve and a slinkyplanb

[–] highpriestess32 10 years ago

Indeed. I believe I used the term "led him into a false sense of security" myself before now.

She was holding all of the cards whereas Dan was like a kid in a sweet shop, almost salivating. The dialogue goes something like:

"And here you are being a naughty boy with a strange girl"

"Oh I don't think there's anything wrong in having dinner with someone"

"Not yet it isn't"

"Will it be?"

"I can't say. I haven't made up my mind yet"

"Well at least you're honest...Well I think it's definitely up to you".

He thought she was an independent professional businesswoman looking for a casual one night stand and as keen to safeguard her reputation as he was his.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

[–] SenoritaTorres 9 years ago

This is one of the reasons this movie irritates me, despite the fact I love it.

Alex was a psycho. That much is clear- but why did it seem like Dan was a victim in the end? The only victims in this piece were his wife and child (and the kid's poor rabbit). Dan decided to drop his pants in the first place, take some responsibility, you dick.

[–] Drooch 9 years ago

He takes full responsibility - he comes clean and takes his punishment - his wife ultimately forgives him and so does the audience.

[–] highpriestess32 9 years ago

He takes full responsibility - he comes clean and takes his punishment - his wife ultimately forgives him and so does the audience.

To be fair he had no intention of coming clean until things got out of hand. This crazy woman came into his life and infiltrated his home, boiled a rabbit and threw acid upon his car. He knew he was out of his depth and the Police were not doing much at all at this point. Their attitude was that he had made his bed and had to lie in it.

Had he taken full responsibility he would have confessed to his wife immediately. Instead he deceiptfully ruffled up the quilt covers and fed the dog the spaghetti sauce before telling her he had been out with a friend and that he had missed her when she returned home. He had more than one opportunity to confess, like the time he arrived home to find Alex in his apartment but he was too cowardly.

Don't ever think the audience sympathised with Dan. They mostly sympathised with Beth and Ellen. He had a lovely wife who was tender and sympathetic. But I don't hate him, he was just a fool having some mid-life crisis. A fool and a cheat. Beth deserved better. She wasn't neglecting herself - she was gorgeous.

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

[–] Drooch 9 years ago

Immediate confession is not a condition of taking full responsibility. His covering up and failure to disclose the affair is part of his transgression, the point is that he does confess and, when he does, he takes full responsibility. His wife rightly forgives him because of this.

Don't ever think the audience sympathised with Dan.

Don't ever tell me or anyone else what to think. The audience do sympathise with Dan, which is partly why the film was such a success - it portrayed a common marital problem without childishly demonising any of the participants.

[–] highpriestess32 9 years ago

Well evidently not all of the audience feel the same. You are now telling me what to think. You are one part of the audience and I am another that thinks to the contrary. I don't sympathise with him as much as you may do.

He cheated on his wife and had his bit on the side not been such a threat to his family I don't imagine he would have EVER come clean. You seem to have a very poor moral code.

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

[–] Drooch 9 years ago

Well evidently not all of the audience feel the same. You are now telling me what to think.

No I'm not, I'm explaining why the film resonated with so many people and remains a revered piece about marital infidelity, whereas you're ordering others to adopt your simplistic, anger-fuelled judgements. A powerful victim narrative is no excuse for bullying.

He cheated on his wife and had his bit on the side not been such a threat to his family I don't imagine he would have EVER come clean. You seem to have a very poor moral code.

No, it's just that I can appreciate nuance and am less susceptible to primitive black and white morality codes which seek to make enemies and attack perceived out-groupers. You're still stuck in such a phase, making you ideal fodder for religions/cults/identity politics. Ironically, you're the one who is filled with hate, yet you consider yourself a moral arbiter. The hypocrisy is astounding.

A morally advanced perspective seeks to understand the motivations of the parties involved, and condemn unenlightened behaviour without demonising the 'sinner'. Dan confesses to his wife and doesn't conjure a victim narrative or make excuses, he fúcked up and he's genuinely sorry, and ready to face the consequences and accept Beth's decision about their relationship. The reason the film was such a success was because most people can identify with being tempted, hurting someone you care about, and having to come clean. I say this as someone who has never, and would never, cheat.

What also makes the film illuminating, is the way it showed how Dan's sexual needs were not being met, which tipped the balance in his decision to have an affair. The straight-jacket of marriage often clashes with the sexual impulses of the human animal.

[–] highpriestess32 9 years ago

I appreciate your weighing in on this in greater depth and I thank you for your maturity.

That said, I still believe Dan was never prepared to confess until guilt and fear for his family got the better of him. It seemed like a last resort to me.

I have always made it stringently clear by the way that Dan may not have been sexually fulfilled (I believe this was adequately demonstrated in the film), so I agree with you on that score wholeheartedly.

But Dan went to everyone before his wife. By everyone I mean his best friend (Jimmy), and also the police, feigning to the latter that he was enquiring on behalf of a third party). It was clear he loved both his wife and child but like you, I have and would NEVER cheat. I don't think I could honestly live with a secret as terrible as that if my spouse was a devoted and loving soul such as Beth was 

But you make valid points. Is monogamy realistic amongst humankind? If so there is a HECK of a lot of temptation in the human condition. Always good to get some differing thoughts and my apologies if I caused offence. I was actually in desperate pain this morning and was barely able to type out a coherent response.

Enjoyed reading your comments and have a lovely day/evening 

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

[–] Drooch 9 years ago



[–] LetThemEatCake01 10 years ago

You are 100% wrong. Dan never lead her on, he literally told her on their second day of meeting, we have no future I'm married. Nobody fooled her, she was just crazy.

[–] Corky666 9 years ago

Agreed! Some idiots just start threads so they can expand on their idiocy and also for attention. It's pretty clear Dan laid the cards on the table and he was presented with something that is safe, so he thought. Men who have been married for some time fantasize all the time and some act just for a different flavor. In Dan's case he just ran into a 1 in a thousand psychopath

[–] furniture_rental 9 years ago

Agreed. The movie did not age well and comes across as the worst sort of older man's self-flattering fantasy. Like the kind where they believe themselves to be utterly irresistible and faultless when it comes to relationships (and relationship disasters.) Alex was obviously unstable, but Dan zeroed in on her; she was a woman who was bound to take his bait because if she were truly independent and self-efficacious, she would have told him to buzz off at the very beginning. And the argument that his wife was neglecting him--ha--he was clearly after thrills, and ignoring his responsible, stable wife emotionally. Clearly, she wasn't "giving" because she also wasn't "getting" as well.

[–] highpriestess32 9 years ago

Well I just guessed that was what the movie wanted to portray to the audience to kind of justify his lust for another woman. It made it easier to see him stray by the absence of pretty much any intimacy between Dan and Beth. I could be wrong but it seems to be the case because we do know that Dan and Beth are clearly in love. It was just lust on his part and possibly a mid-life crisis.

I say that because after they first have sex and are lying in Alex's bed, she compliments him on his virility and he replies "Oh thank God" as though he needed reassurance as to his performance.

As for him laying out the bait, I disagree. YES he was attracted to her but he dutifully went running off to his wife when she summoned him at the book signing party. He left the meeting alone the following day and was approached by Alex who rather presumptiously tried to flag down a taxi for them to share. I know he suggested the drink but I think that was just an impulsive gesture to get out of the rain. I guess after a few glasses of wine, he lost his inhibitions and just saw an opportunity and didn't give it much thought. I'd say Alex did all of the chasing. Her sickening flirtacious glances during the meeting were evidentally her way of getting Dan's attention.

I also don't believe Dan saw himself as irresistable. Right at the start he says to Alex "Oh Jimmy's all right, he's just a little insecure like the rest of us". He says at the retaurant "I think it's definitely up to you". He is unsure of himself. But for a happily married man with a gorgeous wife he was a self-serving ass for risking it all for a one night stand. That we can agree on!

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

[–] Balberith 9 years ago

Good point!

"A real man would rather bow down to a strong woman than dominate a weak one"

[–] highpriestess32 9 years ago

Thanks, Balberith 

"These days you have to boil someone before you can sleep with them"

[–] Balberith 9 years ago

You're most welcome my lady!:-)

"A real man would rather bow down to a strong woman than dominate a weak one"

[–] WaySheGoes 9 years ago

They're both flawed. She's nuts and he's a POS

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] crypticanomaly73 9 years ago

"If you're triggered, feel free to call me an SJW and move on. "

OP says it all right there in their first line, if you disagree with them they will cry and call you names. The OP is just hoping to lay down some PC nonsense and every one will cave in because PC is supposed to be sensible and all.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Jonthan22 9 years ago

Exactly,
Dan did not wrong Alex in any way.
He made sure Alex knew the score from jump street. He told her he was married and never lied to her.
They even agreed to keep it discreet.
This makes it quite clear that there was only ever going to be a casual fling between them. At no point did he give her the impression that he was going to leave his wife and start a relationship with her.
They had a dirty weekend ffs, had sex a couple of times and she went psycho.

Dan did wrong Beth and Ellen though, obviously.
He cheated on his family. He saw an opportunity to have an extra marital fling and was given the impression, by Alex, that it would be a discreet one time fling, or at most a mistress type situation. And he is a pos for doing that, and some would say it is karma that it backfired spectacularly for him.
The movie gives the impression that Beth will forgive him at the end and they will move on, but I like to think she threw his cheating a$$ out onto the street after Alex died.
But then again, Beth can be 100% certain he will never make that mistake again! lol

But as for the way he treated Alex, Dan did nothing to wrong her at all. Alex obviously had no morals either, sleeping with a guy she knew to be married. So the fact that she acts all hurt when he tells her he doesn't want to see her again and will pay for her abortion is pathetic.

Also may I add, that Dan is a prized *beep* moron and a$$hole for not using a condom, even if he thought Alex was on birth control, he had no idea who this woman was, he could have contracted all sorts of STDs and passed them on to his wife. This was during the HIV boom of the 80's too!

[–] trippeh 9 years ago

Michael Douglas' character Dan Gallagher had a perfectly fine life with a good marriage, a stable relationship with his wife, nice kids, whatever, but of course having a lot of money and all these other things weren't good enough for this privileged jerk, he was fed up and disappointed that he wasn't banging some random woman.

Cheating happens. It doesn't make one a privileged jerk. Let's use that logic on the character of Alex, shall we: She knew he was married - so what does that make her? So privileged that she is entitled to sleep with anybody's husband she wants? Well?

So he leads her on

No. She leads him on. She pretends to want nothing more than a fling, whereas he is honest about his intentions. She led him on.

she falls in love with him, and then when she tries to have a relationship with him, he dumps her cold

She was never entitled to have a relationship with him. He sleeps with her, and what? He is contractually bound to have a relationship with her? Well? He never promised her one. She knew he was married with kids, as previously stated.

Yes, she's psycho, but the movie basically puts all of the blame on her and nothing on him as he gets off scott-free with his marriage intact, his wife breathing a sigh of relief that person who killed her daughter's rabbit and almost her is gone.

Gets off Scott-free? Are you for real? He is stalked, his wife will forever have the fact that he cheated as a trump card (rightly, unless she of course uses this as what I like to call the cheat-freebie card and bangs the postman). May I also add, that almost being murdered by a nutjob tends to make you think about that terrifying incident, as opposed to whom your husband stuck himself in.

This is all from a woman by the way, before you accuse me of being a big bad maaaaaaaan.

Truly Happy Mondayed.