Unfaithful

Once upon a time. . . Connie Sumner (Diane Lane) and her husband, EdwardSumner (Richard Gere), lived happily with their nine-year-old son, Charlie(Erik Per Sullivan), in a gorgeous huge house in an idyllic suburb of NewYork City. Edward has his own successful business in New York City. They'vebeen married approximately 12 years and they have a family dog. It'sperfect and -- to me -- boring, but then again I don't have Richard Gerefor a husband.

The opening scene tells you this is a nice family. The grownups are happyand well-adjusted. The boy is a typical little boy and his parents adorehim. Connie is a satisfied housewife with a well-to-do husband. She livesin a secluded world like any suburb. She does volunteer work and looksafter her family. She has self-indulgent married women friends that are noworse and no better than she.

One windy day, while in New York, Connie and Paul Martel (Olivier Martinez)are blown into each other's arms. He's a sexy Frenchman whose occupation isa book buyer, hence he's a bibliophile. He lives upstairs in the buildingwhere they are struggling against the wind. Connie has scraped her knee.Paul offers to get her a band-aid from upstairs. As he opens the door, hesuggests perhaps she would like to come up to see his band-aids. Shehesitates. He smiles and says, "Don't worry. I'm not an axe murderer."

There is a first scene between them in Paul's apartment where he leads herto look at one certain book in his huge collection, which is meaningful tothe story. It only takes a second meeting and the love affair begins. Paulis young, handsome, and French. He has obviously been "around the block,"so he knows how to make a woman happy. Connie carries on taking care of herfamily and making regular visits in New York to Paul's apartment. Shedoesn't seem to feel guilty or remorseful, but she does lie to keep theaffair a secret. Finally, her husband suspects and hires someone to followher. The story is now set for the tragedy. A confrontation between Edwardand Paul made me realize that, years ago, Richard Gere would have OlivierMartinez's role. It's hard not to do the comparison.

My research shows "Unfaithful" is based on Claude Chabrol's celebrated 1969French film, "La Femme Infidele." I'll be searching for that film nowbecause I want to see the French version, too. To give you another bit ofinformation, the director of this film, Adrian Lyne, was also the directorof "Fatal Attraction." Mr. Lyne likes to twist things just a twinge --enough to keep you on guard. The capable actors in this movie support hisinterpretation of Unfaithful. Some viewers will become frustrated with theending. Some viewers will become impatient and want to get their popcornbefore the finish, but be patient -- I neglected going for more popcorn. Irecommend that you see this video and think about it.