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9 1/2 Weeks Movie Review

9 1/2 Weeks

R
Desire. Infatuation. Obsession.
9 1/2 Weeks Picture
Kim Basinger stars...

Starring

Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger, Margaret Whitton, David Margulies

Christine Baranski, Karen Young, William De Acutis, Dwight Weist, Roderick Cook, Victor Truro, Justine Johnston, Cintia Cruz, Kim Chan, Lee Lai Sing, Rudolph Willrich, Helen Hanft, Michael P. Moran, Raynor Scheine, Olek Krupa, Michael Margotta Update Cast


Thanks to Robert
"9 ½ Weeks" was originally intended to be much longer in length (almost three hours). Director Adrian Lyne filmed numerous scenes that were originally depicted in Elizabeth McNeill's novel, including some very graphic portrayals of sadomasochism, a subplot involving Elizabeth's depression and further confrontation with Elizabeth and her ex-husband. But when the film was previewed to test audiences the biggest complaint was the long running time. So over an hour's worth of material (some of which can be seen in the film's trailer) was cut before the film's premiere. The complete epic version is still in existence, locked up safely in the MGM vaults.

More Making Of 9 1/2 Weeks

Review

A very steamy relationship drama that was notorious at the time for the amount of nudity and the use of strong sexual scenes that pushed the limits for a mainstream movie. It's kind of emotionally charged soft p*rn with beautiful cinematography and a story that attempts to rationalise all the lust.

This is the movie that, at the time, almost single handedly 'invented' the 'food is sexy' concept and had people all over the world laughing about what they would like to do to their partner with a can of whipped cream...

Directed by British Director Adrian Lyne who had previously finished work on "Flashdance", the movie documents the short and destructive sexual relationship between Rourke and Basinger's characters. She is an art gallery worker, he is a wealthy man whose wealth comes from some (unstated) kind of financial dealing.

Filmed entirely in New York, the movie is notable for its cinematography and its pacing, which is unusually slow for a modern movie. The director works hard to create a sense of mood between the characters and their situations which is mostly successful. The games which the couple play to intensify their lust for one another increases dramatically, until it burns itself out and the female character is 'snapped back to reality' and longs for more emotional involvement, which of course, Rourke's character is unable or unwilling to give.

As pointed out by a contributor to this site (see behind the scenes), the movie was originally much longer and had several different story elements that were cut from the final film. This may explain the slightly disjointed "feel" of the movie.

What can't be argued with is Adrian Lyne's visual style. Adrian, along with Michael Mann and Ridley Scott is a graduate of London's highly visual TV commercial industry. Every frame in the movie is beautifully composed and photographed. The sense of atmosphere that exists in the work is one of the best of any modern movie. The revelation that the movie was seriously shortened after completion may explain why such a visually beautiful movie fails to work as beautifully.

Let's hope that MGM see fit to release the undedited version one day for us all to enjoy...

Author: NickUpdate This Review

Verdict

A moderately interesting piece of 80's culture and certainly worth watching. At least once ;-)

Truly beautiful photography. Good acting, tastefully erotic and very atmospheric.
Disjointed due to massive cuts in running time. Some are offended and see the movie as just too 'base'.

Rewind Rating

7/10

The Movie Data

Key Crew

Director: Adrian Lyne
Writer: Sarah Kernochan, Zalman King, Patricia Louisianna Knop, Elizabeth McNeill
Producers: Keith Barish, Mark Damon, Sidney Kimmel, Zalman King, Frank Konigsberg, Richard Northcott, Steven Reuther, Renzo Rossellini, Stephen J. Ross, Antony Rufus-Isaacs
Locations Manager: Randall Badger, Clayton Townsend


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Data

Release Date: 21 Feb 1986
MPAA Rating: R
Studio: MGM Studios
Production: Galactic Films, Jonesfilm, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Producers Sales Organization, Triple Ajaxxx
Genre: Drama


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The Movie Trailer
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1986 MGM Studios
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