Unfaithful - Love Your Cheating Heart

A new film based on La Femme Infidele...

By Emma Kae - 25th July 2002 - Back to News

Critically acclaimed director Adrian Lyne has long been known for his devotion to exploring the obsession of a lover. His latest offering, Unfaithful goes beyond the grounds of past works (Fatal Attraction, Indecent Proposal, 9 ˝ Weeks, Lolita) to involve the viewer completely within sumptious imagery, characters you want to hold close and a bittersweet story that will stay with you long after the curtains are drawn.

As its bold, simple title suggests, Unfaithful is a tale of infidelity. It tells the story of Connie Sumner (Diane Lane), a beautiful woman with a picture-book story life – a loving husband, adorable son and a huge house in a deliciously peaceful suburb.

Then, just when the audience is beginning to wonder if they have taken a seat in the wrong cinema, the reign of perfection halts. In a day in the city, Connie literally falls for a handsome young Frenchman, Paul Martel (Olivier Martinez) on the streets of Soho. In a tumble of events, the chance meeting develops into more as he offers her a band-aid, then tea, then his open arms. At first, Connie resists, but her defences are slowly broken down, and she gives in to her desire to feel the first tweaks of attraction once more.

Connie’s once simple, ordered life becomes a turmoil of lies and deceit as the affair consumes her. Her devoted husband Edward (Richard Gere) slowly begins to suspect that something is not right and endeavours to find out what it may be, employing a private investigator to follow her. All too soon he knows the devastating truth, and the events that unfold from here on in change their lives forever.

Unfaithful is an amazing film. The characters are intense and believeable, their emotions so palatable that the audience almost believes that they are feeling for them. The actors parallel the audience with a subject is both intimate and universal. The screenplay is simultaneously delightful and devastating, while remaining so involving it will take you to the edge and very nearly throw you over the top.

There are no superheroes or villains in this film, but characters with flaws so tangible that we feel they could be another part of ourselves. Without the neon sign clichés stating which character we should feel sorry for, as in many films of late, Unfaithful challenges you to analyse your responses to the movie even as you're responding.

Unfaithful is a breathtaking film, from the first moment of the windstorm to the closing scenes, and one not to be missed.

4.5 Stars

Click here to see when you can catch Unfaithful at your local cinema.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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