Synopsis:
A woman (Kim Basinger) gets involved in a steamy affair with a mysterious, kinky broker (Mickey Rourke).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Mickey Rourke Films
• S&M
• Sexuality

Response to Peary’s Review:
In his review of this infamous softcore sexual drama — based on an autobiographical novel by “Elizabeth McNeil” — Peary expresses little but puzzled bewilderment, wondering why Basinger’s Elizabeth — who “seems too smart, too independent, and too under control to have anything to do with Rourke” — would be attracted to someone like him in the first place. But I think he misses the point of sadomasochistic impulses: seemingly “strong” people like Elizabeth may find themselves caught up in fantasies which even they don’t understand; thus, Elizabeth’s reluctance to leave the increasingly controlling affair makes sense on some level. For a superior work on S&M, however, see the more recent Secretary (2002) starring Maggie Gyllenhal and James Spader.

Redeeming Qualities:

• Basinger’s vulnerable, sexy performance
  

Must See?
No. While it holds some historical interest for the controversy surrounding its “almost X-rated” status, it’s not must-see viewing.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review
• TV Guide Review