Indecent Proposal (Adrian Lyne, 1993)

SPOILERS

I've long been obsessed with Indecent Proposal because I couldn't imagine how the story would play out. Financially destitute David and Diana Murphy (Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore) encounter grody-to-the-max millionaire John Gage (Robert Redford) who offers the couple $1 million to have sex with Diana. After some hemming and not much hawing, they agree but the act plunges the couple into jealousy. Intriguing premise. But how do you juice a story out of this aftermath, especially when the dirty deed occurs right at the halfway point like clockwork? The film I imagined in my perverse art-damaged fantasy had David and Diana wringing their hands, striking curious poses, and engaged in endless conversations for the last hour like a steamier Marienbad. But I knew that couldn't be hence my finally watching the thing. 

Turns out John doesn't disappear from the narrative and tries to get Diana to fall in love with him for real. And after one too many fights with David, Diana gives in. All of which proceeds as cornily as you might imagine with John Williams' score bursting at the crotch and plenty of smoky photography courtesy of cinematographer Howard Atherton who shoots the principals in a series of fashion layouts, Harrelson frequently barefoot and earthy-sexy. Pretty harmless overall and Lyne has a feel for ordinary strivers, peopling the frame with college students, busboys, and immigrants seeking citizenship.

But then the climax lies to all Americans and Americans-to-be. David shows up to a zoo benefit where John has just cast the highest bid. He outbids John by pledging his $1 million and proving his love to Diana in the process. John gives the couple a moment alone but watches on as David grants Diana the divorce she requested as it rains (you know, because it cleanses and all). He realizes that David is truly in love with her (just now, dude?) and gets Diana to break up with him so that the couple can flourish once more. And this time, it's a supposedly more pure love because they're broke again (although we never see David deposit a million-dollar check into the zoo coffers). True love transcends poverty, even two non-consecutive bouts of it - as grody an ideology as Lyne's consumerist gaze in awe of John's riches throughout most of the film's running time. 

Grade: B