My Wife Chooses the Film: Indecent Proposal

Review
My wife and I live in China and she happens to be local to the country, and as such, she has not seen as many Western films as I have, present or past, popular or awful alike. So I found the perfect way of randomly watching more films that I previously haven't seen or didn't want to watch by having her choose them on select movie nights. I must say that the results have been quite good so far, and I honour this new selection method by reviewing the film Indecent Proposal.

Released in 1992, Indecent Proposal is directed by English filmmaker Adrian Lyne and stars a young Demi Moore as Diane Murphy and Woody Harrelson as her husband David Murphy. Together the two are a picture of young love, a couple of old-time sweethearts enjoying their simple, happy life. Diana works as a real estate agent while David is a talented architect brimming with passion and optimism. With her knowledge of property, Diana and David purchase some land for him to create and build one of his architectural dream homes.

However, the recession hits hard, leaving David without a job and Diana short on clients. In their desperation, the two take to Vegas to get the money they need to pay their debts and it is here where the two eventually meet John Gage. Attracted to Diana on sight, Gage's initial interaction is brushed aside, but when lady luck leaves the Murphy's with nothing left to gamble, they happen upon a high rollers game with John Gage occupying one of the seats. Despite being married to David, Gage invites the couple to stay at the hotel on his dime and also requests they attend a special dinner. It is at this dinner that the indecent proposal is made, Gage offers the couple one million dollars for one night with Diana.

While refused with no small degree of indignation, the offer slowly eats at the couple, as the idea of solving their financial problems instantly seems too tempting an offer to pass up, especially considering the promise of possible long-term prosperity. The two create the necessary rational justifications and decide to take the offer. But David is instantly left regretting it, as a confident, smooth and dashing John Gage makes sure that a seed is planted in the mind of Diana, and that its probability of bearing fruit in the future is increased.

What was meant to be an easily forgettable evening turns into the only thing that the couple can think of, and for somewhat different reasons. David is overcome with jealousy, curiosity, and anger. Jealous of John Gage, and curious about the events of that fateful evening and incredibly angry with both himself and his wife for accepting the offer. David is fraught with paranoia, driven up the wall at his inability to truly know his wife's thoughts and true feelings. Diana feels very much the same, a sense of anger, not only at the decision that was made, but for how the evening changed her, and the guilt she feels for her own emotions towards Gage. After eventually losing their purchased property and building project, Diana discovers that it was John Gage who bought it, putting himself back into the picture. Diana's confrontation with him is the first step towards a long and inappropriate affair and the heartbreaking decay of a once beautiful and flourishing marriage.

Indecent Proposal is a film that captures the complexity of marriage. It doesn't pull punches in showing that marriage is very hard work, but interestingly enough it also shows that love both isn't and is enough to sustain it. All three characters have wonderful chemistry and individually give brilliant demonstrations of their acting credentials. Audiences are left with quite a bit with regards to character depth as all three character seem to carry some degree of fault regarding their actions and motives, indeed separating protagonist from antagonist is not as straightforward as some might want or think. The film forces us to look at the world we live in and the relationships we develop, whether money is really enough to buy happiness and satisfaction, or if there are things that it cannot and ought not claim.

The film offers up the passion, drama, happiness, anger, frustration, and reconciliation that is usually commonplace in a marriage, but equally shows a complex cast of characters that all have their own virtues and vices. Lyne seems to have shown himself to be quite skilled at shooting romance dramas packed with suspense and intrigue, and I felt this was a film that had aged quite well and is worthy of any film enthusiasts attention. And on that note, I wish you happy viewing.

More Info:

The Movie DB: Indecent Proposal

Score: AA

Out of 10: 7