80sfilms

In 1986, when Nine 1/2 Weeks came out, I didn’t pay much attention to it. But a few years later, I was obsessed.
I was dating a guy who reminded me so much of the male character in the film, that I couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to be perceived that way. Needless to say, our relationship lasted about as long as the pair in the film.

Nine 1/2 Weeks, director Adrian Lyne’s follow-up to Flashdance, revolves around a nine 1/2-week affair between straight-laced art-gallery dealer Elizabeth and emotionally-detached Wall Street exec John.

Stars Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger play the lovers, and while I can’t see the appeal of Rourke in this day and age, back then he left me breathless.

While the thought of watching Rourke doing anything these days is a bit unpleasant (to put it nicely), I still enjoy watching Basinger perform (as long as it’s not on “Saturday Night Live”).

I would hasten to say Nine 1/2 Weeks was the high point of Rourke’s career, as he continued to take on controversial, highly sexual roles in films such as 1987’s Angel Heart and 1990’s Wild Orchid.

Basinger, on the other hand, used Nine 1/2 Weeks as more of a stepping stone to better projects, including 1987’s Blind Date, 1992’s Final Analysis, 1997’s L.A. Confidential and 2002’s 8 Mile.

Nine 1/2 Weeks is an 80s rite of passage, but best left for adults, as it is erotic and deals with very mature subject matter.

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