| 9½ Weeks | |
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 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Adrian Lyne |
| Produced by | Mark Damon Sidney Kimmel Zalman King Antony Rufus-Isaacs |
| Screenplay by | Sarah Kernochan Zalman King Patricia Louisanna Knop |
| Based on | 9½ Weeks by Elizabeth McNeill |
| Starring | Mickey Rourke Kim Basinger |
| Music by | Jack Nitzsche |
| Cinematography | Peter Biziou |
| Editing by | Caroline Biggerstaff Ed Hansen Tom Rolf Mark Winitsky |
| Studio | Producers Sales Organization |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (theatrical) Warner Home Video (DVD) |
| Release date(s) | February 20, 1986 |
| Running time | 112 minutes 117 minutes (Unrated) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $17 million |
| Box office | $6,734,844 |
9½ Weeks is a 1986 erotic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger. It is based on the novel of the same name by Elizabeth McNeill. Joanna Pacula turned down the role in this film because her husband didn't want her to undress.
The film was not a major success commercially in the United States, grossing only $7 million at the box office from a $17 million budget. In addition, it received mixed reviews. However, despite its only moderate success in North America, the film acquired a large fanbase on video and was a huge success internationally.[1] The film is now well known for its erotic sadomasochistic content.
The film spawned two direct-to-video sequels, Another 9½ Weeks (1997) and The First 9½ Weeks (1998).
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Contents
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Plot
The title of the film refers to the duration of a relationship between Wall Street arbitrageur John Gray (Mickey Rourke) and divorced SoHo art gallery employee Elizabeth McGraw (Kim Basinger). The two meet and have a volatile and somewhat kinky sex life.
They try a variety of sexual and erotic acts, such as a scene in which John titillates a blindfolded Elizabeth's body with ice; a scene in which John spoonfeeds Elizabeth various kinds of food while her eyes are closed; a scene in which Elizabeth takes off a tuxedo and fake moustache and has sex with John in a rainy alley; and Basinger's striptease to Randy Newman's "You Can Leave Your Hat On", as performed by Joe Cocker. Most of these erotic scenes were parodied or served as the inspiration for some music videos, like Sheena Easton's 1989 song "Days Like This" and Sarah Connor's 2007 "Sexual Healing".
The film details a sexual downward spiral as John pushes Elizabeth's boundaries toward her eventual emotional breakdown. He often manipulates her into getting what he wants during sex and sometimes abuses her.
Cast
- Mickey Rourke as John Grey
- Kim Basinger as Elizabeth McGraw
- Margaret Whitton as Molly
- David Margulies as Harvey
- Christine Baranski as Thea
- Karen Young as Sue
- William De Acutis as Ted (as William DeAcutis)
- Dwight Weist as Farnsworth
- Roderick Cook as Sinclair, the Critic
- Victor Truro as Gallery Client
Reception
In a preview screening of the film for 1,000 people, all but 40 walked out. Of the 40 who filled out cards, 35 said they hated it.[2]
9½ Weeks has a mixed 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[3] Roger Ebert gave the film three and half stars, stating: "A lot of the success of 9½ Weeks is because Rourke and Basinger make the characters and their relationship convincing." He further elaborated by saying that their relationship was believable, and unlike many other characters in other erotic films at that time, the characters in this movie are much more real and human.[4]
The film was nominated for three categories in the 1986 Golden Raspberry Awards, Worst Actress (Kim Basinger), Worst Original Song (Jonathan Elias, John Taylor, Michael Des Barres), and Worst Screenplay (Patricia Louisianna Knop, Zalman King, Sarah Kernochan).
Soundtrack and score
The main single released from the 9½ Weeks: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was "I Do What I Do," performed by Duran Duran bassist John Taylor, giving his first solo singing performance during a hiatus in Duran Duran's career. The song reached #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #42 on the UK Singles Chart. Music for the score was composed by Taylor and Jonathan Elias. Original music for the movie was also written by Jack Nitzsche, but his compositions are not included on the soundtrack.
The soundtrack also included tracks from Luba, Bryan Ferry, Dalbello, Corey Hart, Joe Cocker, Devo, Eurythmics and Stewart Copeland. Winston Grennan's reggae "Savior" as well as Jean Michel Jarre's "Arpegiator," played during the sex scene on the stairs in the rain, were not included on the record.
Sequel and prequel
In 1997, a sequel appeared direct-to-video called Another 9½ Weeks, starring Mickey Rourke and Angie Everhart and directed by Anne Goursaud. In 1998, a straight-to-video prequel was made called The First 9½ Weeks, but it did not include any of the original actors.
See also
References
- ^ Rabin, Nathan (2002-04-04). "Another 9½ Weeks". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/articles/another-9-12-weeks,18664/. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
- ^ “Zalman King, Creator of Soft-Core Films, Dies at 70”, New York Times, February 8, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/arts/television/zalman-king-creator-of-soft-core-films-dies-at-70.html?hpw
- ^ 9½ Weeks at Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (1986-02-21). "9½ Weeks". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19860221/REVIEWS/602210301/1023. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
- Unfootnoted
- Briggs, Joe Bob (2005). Profoundly Erotic: Sexy Movies that Changed History. New York: Rizzoli. ISBN 0-7893-1314-6.
External links
- 9½ Weeks at the Internet Movie Database
- 9½ Weeks at AllRovi
- 9½ Weeks at Rotten Tomatoes
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