Recommended movie: “Nine ½ Weeks”
Games of love and pain
Perhaps one of the strongest characteristics of man’s evolution is the incorporation of fantasies into sex. That is, what has changed from cavemen to here is that we also make love with the brain, in addition to other parts of the body. Some exaggerate, doing everything by computer, but they are the exceptions. The most common are sexual games between partners, which is healthy and beneficial in any relationship. This becomes a problem when one exceeds limits beyond which there is no return. This was the aspect that most intrigued me in the movie that consolidated Kim Basinger’s career, “Nine 1/2 Weeks” (USA, 1986).
The first time I watched this movie was at the time of the premiere in theaters. At that time, everyone commented about an erotic movie, starring a monumental blonde named Kim Basinger. While watching the movie, I did not find a big deal, precisely because I was expecting an explicit erotic charge that did not happen at all. The only part I found interesting was the lively blonde’s striptease.
In reviewing the movie, years later, I was pleasantly surprised. The cinematography is fantastic, the soundtrack full of familiar songs, the acting of the actors excellent, and Mickey Rourke, believe it or not, has become a sex symbol after this movie. However, the high point of the film is the plot, which may go unnoticed by most viewers.
The story revolves around the two main characters. Kim lives in the role of Elizabeth, a beautiful girl who works in an art gallery. At random, she meets a mysterious executive named John (Rourke), who engages her in a seduction game filled with strange and challenging situations.
Each day is a new joke, like the anthological scene of the refrigerator, where Kim serves as a test drive for all kinds of food (this scene was deliciously parodied in the comedy “Top Gang” with Valeria Golino). The jokes get heavier, like when John makes Liz dress like a man, or when he leaves her standing on the top of a Ferris wheel.
Fascinated, the girl embarks on this strange journey of pleasures and challenges, while continuing with her functions in the gallery. One of his tasks is to organize the exhibition of a painter who lives isolated in the middle of a forest. Used to the hustle and bustle of the modern city, with all its pleasures and demands, Elizabeth is surprised by the bucolic environment where the painter lives, and his relationship with that place.
Back in her world, Elizabeth begins to realize the strangeness of her relationship with John. The games are not so much fun anymore, and the pain is greater than pleasure. It is in the vernissage of the hermit painter that she realizes what it is to be a fish out of water. Stop. If I say anything else, there will be little left for anyone to watch.
Anyone who says they have never played a sexual game, or are lying, or have a very difficult relationship. Regardless of sexual preference, social status or age, those who love want to please and be pleased. It could be by wearing a sexy underwear, a plus daring bikini, a night in a motel, sex in the car or by the beach.
There are those who like the sensation of danger, others who ask the girlfriend to behave like a scort girl, and those who associate pain with pleasure. In my humble conception, everything is allowed between four walls – as long as the two feel good. The problem is when the scale is only hanging to one side.
The film was heavily criticized for being full of stereotypes. The beautiful blonde, the cynical executive, the gay boss, the fanatic rock henchman, are common figures in New York, or any major cosmopolitan city in the world. None of this messes up the story, because what happens between the main couple could happen anywhere, and with any person. I will not be lying, saying that it is a love story, much closer to reality than many others.
I do not like to separate the elements of a movie, for I believe that a good work is one that forms a harmonious whole. Even so, you can not fail to mention the beautiful cinematography of the film, held almost all backlit. The scenarios are very elaborated, especially John’s high-tech apartment. The costume explores the white and black, with a strong predominance of the latter.
The soundtrack is an additional show, with well-known songs, usually associated to a certain sequence, like music videos. These are songs by Eurythmics, John Taylor, Corey Hart and others. Some passages are memorable: Liz’s previously mentioned striptease, a sensual slideshow, and making love in an alley under the rain.
Director Adrian Lyne has made few movies, but has always attracted the attention of the public: “Flashdance” (USA, 1983), “Fatal Attraction” (USA,1987), “Indecent Proposal” (USA, 1993), and the most recent version of “Lolita” (USA, 1997). Wisely, he did not want to participate in the two sequences of “Nine 1/2 Weeks”. In fact, there is a sequel, “Love in Paris” (USA, 1997), and a prologue, “The First 9 1/2 Weeks” (USA, 1998). In this last one, an inexperienced young man lives a series of situations that would justify the actions of John, going from victim in one film to the tormentor of the other. But, both are much poorer than the original movie.
Although a technically well-done film, “Nine 1/2 Weeks” would not have worked well without the perfect chemistry of the center couple. Rourke established the image of the cool man, with a beard always undone, and the cynical and indifferent way. The actor came from hits like “Rumble Fish” (USA,1983) and “Year of the Dragon” (USA, 1985), and it promised to launch a bright career. However, he was limited to smaller films, giving more attention to boxing and motorcycles, which were his passions.
With Basinger the reverse happened. The actress, who starred as a Bond Girl in “Never Say Never Again” (USA, 1983), exploded once and for all with “Nine 1/2 Weeks”. From then on, she made a number of films, notably “Batman” (USA, 1989), “The Getaway” (USA, 1994), “LA Confidential” 1997), and “I Dreamed of Africa” (USA, 2000). From decorative blonde of the first movies, she has proved to be a safe and experienced actress, more beautiful with each passing year.
At the time it was released on DVD the film had a very poor edition, with stereo audio, with no extra. It was later released on Blu-Ray, with the original widescreen format, and DTS-HD audio. It is unfortunate that such an interesting film does not have a single documentary, trailer, production notes or anything that counts. Producers still insist on putting menu and choice of scenes as if it were an extra feature.
Despite being considered daring at the time of the release, “Nine 1/2 Weeks” is less offensive to morality and good manners than any miniserie or soap opera. However, the merit that makes it a movie worthy of being on the shelf of any cinephile is the interesting exposition of a human relationship, in an optic that is always hidden between four walls. Check it out for yourself.