‘Fatal Attraction’ series asks ‘different questions’ in post-Me Too culture

ANDwritten by Alexandra Cunningham and directed by Silver Tree, the Paramount series asks different questions and transports the plot to the post-Me Too culture, said the creator at the premiere ceremony, in Los Angeles, where Lusa was present.

“Whether you’re seeing the film again or for the first time, you can’t have the same experience that people had when it came out,” said Alexandra Cunningham, referring to the 1987 film, which was a critical and box office success. and received six Oscar nominations, despite a premise now considered problematic.

“Because we’ve changed too much as a culture and we ask different questions now,” he added. “These questions are ultimately why I said yes and why this cast and this crew did as well.”

The 1987 plot, with Michael Douglas playing Dan Gallagher and Glenn Close giving body to Alex Forrest, tells, in the form of a psychological thriller, an extramarital relationship transformed into an obsession on the part of the rejected lover, with an escalation of violence that ends in death.

“This is not your mother’s Fatal Attraction”, characterized actor Reno Wilson, who plays detective Earl Booker in the new series and was present at the event.

The ‘remake’ has many points of contact with the original, from the famous line “I will not be ignored, Dan” to the white rabbit that became the victim of Alex Forrest’s obsession.

But Alexandra Cunningham’s intention was not to repeat the stereotype of the repentant man who defends the family of a hysterical ex-lover, and for that reason he tried to give much more space to the point of view of both Alex Forrest (now played by Lizzy Caplan) and the betrayed woman, Beth Gallagher (here embodied by Amanda Peet).

“The film is a jewel in Paramount’s crown and they offered me that jewel and with it they brought terror to my heart”, joked Cunningham, about the responsibility of taking the story of such a highly regarded film.

“I was going to say no. I watched the movie again before I emailed back with a sympathetic decline,” Cunningham said. “And here we are,” he joked.

The pilot episode, which audiences will be able to view on SkyShowtime on May 22, was co-written with James Dearden, the original screenwriter of the 1987 film.

“To tackle the reimagining of an iconic film, nominated for six Academy Awards, is no small feat,” acknowledged Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios, who was also at the ceremony in Los Angeles.

“But creator Alexandra Cunningham, along with Kevin J. Hynes and her team, have created a series that not only honors the DNA of the original blockbuster, but takes advantage of the longer format and brilliantly opens up the psychological aspect,” said Clemens.

Dan Gallagher is this time played by Joshua Jackson and the series constantly advances and rewinds in time, exploring the mystery surrounding the death of his ex-lover until a surprising ending. There are more layers around Alex Forrest’s personality and a delve into his past that gives context to obsessive tendencies.

Nicole Clemens thanked actors Joshua Jackson, Lizz Caplan and Amanda Peet for having “dared” to embody such iconic characters.

“Each of them brought rich dimensions to their characters, and strength and vulnerability, and made them their own, with complex and powerful performances”, praised the president.

Alexandra Cunningham also highlighted the quality of the cast, who highlighted the work ethic and talent. “All my fault, all their credit,” she said.

The actors’ performances are receiving positive marks from critics, but the way in which the mystery is unfolded and solved has earned negative marks from television critics.

“Fatal Attraction” has eight episodes and the series is produced by Alexandra Cunningham, Kevin J. Hynes, Silver Tree, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank.

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