MovieChat Forums > Fatal Attraction (1987) Discussion > Michael Douglas Total Jerk (spoilers)

Michael Douglas Total Jerk (spoilers)

posted 7 years ago by best_of
17 replies | jump to latest

The man is a complete jerk. Supposed to be this big shot lawyer with the world on a string, yet falls into Glen Close Venus fly trap with a snap of her fingers. There is nothing about him that is at all sympathetic. All that money, all the striving upward materialistic porn of the apartment, the new house, the beautiful and charming wife, the adorable child, what more do you need, except an extended one night stand with a psychopath. Of course he would risk everything for a mouthful of that forbidden fruit. If they ever make a sequel to this film it will begin in the waiting room of an STD clinic, filled with Michael Douglas, Carrie Bradshaw, and Alfie (Jude Law). They can all commiserate about how they got infected by too much free and easy sex.

[–] peacockblue 7 years ago

I was watching a doc on the making of this movie~~ he started being mean to the little actress Ellen to make her cry in "the scene moment" then snickered about how he'd do anything for the making of film. So anyway everyone knows he's a jerk, ain't no spoiler there!

◘ Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered ◘

[–] MariaMitchell 7 years ago

I was watching a doc on the making of this movie~~ he started being mean to the little actress Ellen to make her cry in "the scene moment" then snickered about how he'd do anything for the making of film

OMG, really?
I always wondered how they got that little dot to cry so convincingly. She looked genuinely really upset.. :(
It makes you wonder what other heinous tactics are used by actors and directors free from all morality in pursuit of the perfect take. After the recent horrifying Last Tango in Paris story, I think they're capable of anything.

[–] AustralienneLee 7 years ago

Congratulations...you picked up on the entire point of the the film.

[–] Kellymariekitty (158) 5 years ago

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 loving the people in the STD clinic picture

[–] lemonhead1 (410) 3 years ago

His wife needed to dump his ass and take him to the cleaners! No way someone could just forget that their husband seeded into another woman, then said woman abducts child, then sneaks into the house to murder everyone, but, by pure luck, she wasn't able to complete her mission. No way. Cleaners time!

[–] johnmiller (3316) 3 years ago

I think Michael Douglas is a smug asshole, anyway. So, I never had any sympathy for his characters.

[–] Patman111196 (1219) 3 years ago

He definitely has a history of playing douchebags. In Falling Down he was just as similar to Alex, and in Disclosure he played a very responsible person who has to deal with another completely irresponsible and projecting ex-girlfriend.

[–] drrclavan (667) 3 years ago

ALL lawyers are complete and utter jerks, and that's putting it mildly.

[–] liscarkat (16466) 8 months ago

Not Perry Mason.

[–] TMC-4 (19387) 2 years ago

Why should Dan be held responsible for anything? In no way did he ever imply or tell Alex he was in love with her or wanted anything more than a one-night stand.

[–] Patman111196 (1219) 2 years ago

Because feminism has made the world a chaotic place today. Disclosure would never be made today with it's depiction of a woman sexually assaulting a man, and the chance of Fatal Attraction happening today, while possible if the woman is not badly stigmatized as a psycho, would be quite slim to practically none. I think the recent exploration in today's world with BPD is also to blame, since it puts her in a slightly more sympathetic light compared to the 80s.

People tend to forget the importance of how Alex seduced Dan and led him to believe that she just wanted a simple fling and blame HIM because he simply decided to play with fire and got burned, even though he didn't start the fire at all. In today's world, so many more people don't want to confess to starting fires purely out of wanting to maintain or stabilize self-respect, therefore it's easier to blame someone else.

[–] jacotodd47 (960) 2 years ago

I agree. Dan never led her in any direction other than telling her the truth. Where he was stupid was getting her pregnant. I don't care how much pleasure is involved, you never take that risk. Anyway, the fact that she was a complete lunatic and went to the lengths she went to is completely on her. He was straight with her from day 1.

[–] Patman111196 (1219) 2 years ago

I agree at least he should get divorced and be forced to take responsibility for the child he gave her. If she had done that, she could have gotten what she wanted, but she met her own demise by priortizing her feelings for Dan over logic.

[–] jacotodd47 (960) 2 years ago

Oh I agree 100% except for the "get divorced" part. Regardless of whether he likes it or not, he is the one that got her pregnant, and he is the one that is going to have to deal with it. The way to play it (from Dan's POV) would be to tell his wife the truth (as he did) and then just let ALex be Alex and stay away from her. Once he had enough evidence, he could have gone for full custody of the child - which his wife probably would have supported. Or, his wife may have divorced him. Not much Dan could have done about that. But surely, in any case, he has to face up to Alex's pregnancy.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

OR he could have had her killed. Once she started invading his family home and murdering their pets she was fair game.

[–] jacotodd47 (960) 2 years ago

Yeah, but I don't believe he had any proof it was her on the rabbit. At that point anything of evidentiary value (such as her being pregnant by him) would have pointed directly to him. But certainly, once she kidnapped his daughter it was known it was her (Alex). Then of course she breaks in and yes, at that point, she was fair game. He would have walked out of that situation completely unscathed. This is assuming his wife would have stayed with him.

[–] liscarkat (16466) 8 months ago

Yeah, the guy is a total douche. I watch the movie not because he's a sympathetic character, but just because it's interesting to see the whole affair spiral into chaos and horror. His wife and daughter deserved better.