The quiet, suburban life led by Connie Sumner (Diane Lane) is destabilized when a chance encounter with a stranger, Paul Martel (Olivier Martinez) quickly develops into a romantic entanglement. Unbeknownst to her friends and family, Connie continues to indulge her fantasies, that is until her husband, Edward Sumner (Richard Gere) grows suspicious and sets out to uncover the truth.
While Unfaithful might sound very similar to Adrian Lyne’s other work — Fatal Attraction in particular — I believe it’s very much a film all its own, with a unique style and sensibility that always captivates me. Still, the film isn’t wholly original. It is a remake of a French film — one that I’ve never gotten around to see — and as Lyne states in the bonus materials, it is one of his favorite films. In fact, he told himself never to remake it, but later admits that he just couldn’t help himself.
Having never seen the original, I can’t speak to the quality of this film with respect to the preservation of the original film’s story and mood. However, I do think it’s pointless to approach a remake with the intent of making a carbon copy, and I’m sure that Lyne feels the same. And so, I would imagine that Unfaithful pays tribute, wherever possible, while simultaneously exploring new thoughts, feelings and images.
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of Lyne’s work — from Jacob’s Ladder, to Fatal Attraction — and Unfaithful is no exception. Each film is extremely personal, both in the composition/focus of the narrative, as well as the directing/cinematography. In many ways, I believe Unfaithful is the epitome of this “personal touch.” Take for example the extreme closeups littered throughout the film that heighten the sexual tension, or the lyrical editing that folds time with ease. Even still, some of the most powerful moments in the film come when nothing is said at all. Lyne proves here that he has mastered the absence of dialog — something that is often overlooked. All of these elements, when combined with the ever-potent score, by maestro Jan A. P. Kaczmarek, and top-notch performances from Diane Lane and Richard Gere, lead Unfaithful to achieve an operatic dynamism that grips you and leaves you breathless. It might not be for everyone, but I love it just the same.
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