my review of 9 and a Half Weeks

No movie has been able to capture the feeling of the 80's yuppie culture, than 9 and a half weeks. I haven't seen About Last Nite yet in its entirety, but 9 and a Half should capture it. We are introduced to the character John, played by Mickey Rourke (who looks like a young Bruce Willis) and his affair mate Elizabeth (Kim Basinger). They "meet" in a Chinese deli, where Kim was playfully make fun of Cousin Benny (or at least the Chinese actor who plays Cousin Benny in Lethal Weapon 4. Which proves again my theory, that Hollywood has only a staple of Chinese acters, which they use again and again and again.) What ensues is one of the most torrid love affairs, ever shown in the movie houses. And when I say torrid, I don't mean gross nudity and gratuitous sex like most movies here in the Philippines.

This was a movie with a plot, actually, it's more a movie with a point, coz there really wasn't much plot. Mickey Rourke is the epitome of the 80's man. Cold, perfect (ionist), rich, yuppie and powerful. He hangs every pair of pants in his closet at equidistant spaces (as Margie pointed out). He knows when you've riffled through his stuff. His furniture is impeccably clean and highly polished. A true spokesman for Sharper Image. Edward Norton's character in Fight Club would've been proud. Which Ikea set-up is you? But unlike Fight Club, which destroys it, 9 and Half Weeks glamorizes it to the hilt. I mean, who wouldn't want Kim Basinger as a plaything. And Kim Basinger was an excellent actress in this movie. She plays the part of the victimized yet hopelessly in love with woman, in an Oscar worthy performance. Not since I've seen the Lover, have I seen a movie that so perfectly integrates sex into a movie that wasn't merely exploitative. Philippine cinema supposedly also does this. But if ALL you show are Sex movies, that's when it comes dubious.

But in the end, the highest kudos, after Mickey Rourke, must go to the director, Adrian Lyne. He perfectly composed every shot. He showed that the yuppie lifestlye can indeed be beautiful. And all those wonks aren't just doing it to be maschositic. I hate to admit it, but I highly recommend this movie (coz I'm a bit conservative). Adrian Lyne gets sex dramas perfectly. I also liked Indecent Proposal. Which makes me wonder if I should watch Unfaithful. Hmmm. And oh yeah, Peter Biziou's cinematography was amazing. I give it a high 4 stars out of 5.

Everybody of the right maturity level, should watch it.