FATALE

US, 2020, 104 minutes, Colour.

Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Damaris Lewis, Tyrin Turner, Danny Pino.

Directed by Deon Taylor.

The title quickly signifies what we are to expect. Will there be a femme fatale? And, with the overtones of Fatal Attraction, will there be a man entangled with an uncompromising woman?

Actually, for the first 20 minutes of this film, it goes exactly as might have been expected. Michael Ealy is Derrick, something of a self-made businessman, agent for sports stars, working with his best friend as partner, with a very glamorous wife and a very large affluent mansion. But, tension at home. A visit to Las Vegas, his partner encouraging him to temptation, a one night stand, hello and goodbye! Well, of course, definitely not goodbye.

Because the first 20 minutes are so expected, we are sitting in our seats wondering when the twists will come and how effectively twisted they will be. They do come – and they are!

In fact, in the second 20 minutes of the running time, there are quite a number of twists involving a reconciliation between Derrick and his wife, a home invasion, police investigation.

And Hilary Swank plays the chief detective, investigating the robbery, but discovering more and more about Derrick, his wife and his partner – and quite some twists.

Which means that the third 20 minutes of the running time leads to twists within twists! There is a story of an up-and-coming political man who is accused of financial double dealings protesting innocence, rather arrogant – and then the discovery that he has been married to the detective, which does, of course, lead to a few more twists.

After an hour of running time and involvement in the anxiety of Derrick, the strong presence of Hilary Swank (always a strong and commanding presence on-screen) and further leads in the investigation, the next 20 minutes introduces the murders. Building up more and more tension, and a focus on Derrick as the most probable suspect.

There are only 20 minutes left in the running time so that has to be for the solutions and the resolutions. Once again, not exactly what we might have anticipated but some violent confrontations. Will and can Derrick survive?

So, a variation on the Fatal Attraction scenario, always an interesting and involving movie pastime.

1. The title and tone? Femme fatale? Fatal Attraction and its overtones – and plot parallels?
2. The Los Angeles setting, affluent world, the vistas of buildings, freeways…? Lavish mansions and interiors? Lavish offices? Police precincts? Beach homes and the beach? The visit to Las Vegas, casinos, hotels? The musical score?
3. Derrick, his business, business meetings, successful contracts, representing the sports stars? Partnership with Rafe, their friendship? Affluence? The gradual revelation about his past, poorer beginnings, his mother support? Crime, his cousin taking the rap – and his gratitude towards him and giving him money? Rafe’s objections? His relationship with Tracie, becoming brittle, questioning her about arriving home late…?
4. The visit to Las Vegas, letting off steam, Rafe encouraging him, the bar, Val and her manner, beginning to talk, dance, the night, her sexual demands, his reactions? Leaving?
5. Derrick and the reconciliation with Tracie? The night, the intruder, the violent fight, Tracie’s reaction? Not calling 911? The arrival of the police? Derrick and his shock to find Val in charge? Her manner, questions? Derrick in shock? Apprehensions about exposure?
6. The further investigations? The discussions with Val, at headquarters, not recorded? The ambiguity of her reaction? Her reputation as top investigator? Insinuation of threats of exposure?
7. The background of Val’s story, her divorce from Carter, the television information about Carter and his being investigated, his denials? His wife? His daughter, issues of custody? Val, her threats? Carter and his rejection, despising Val?
8. Val, Tracie and the beach house, the revelation to Derrick about Rafe and Tracie and their affair? His angry reaction? Val taunting him, his anger and killing them? Yet Val continuing to taunt Derrick, another sexual encounter?
9. The murders, Derrick implicated, the guns, the motivation? Val and her pressure? Derrick talking with his cousin, the cousin and friend? Their going to confront Val, her turning the tables on them, killing them?
10. Derrick, discussions with his mother, her continued support, urging him to hold his head high?
11. Val and her power over Derrick, the guns, asking him to kill Carter and her being prepared to let him go?
12. The plan, Derrick, the gun, the underpass, the confrontation with Carter, Derrick trying to warn him, Carter and his violence, the shot, Carter’s death? Going back to Val and confronting her?
13. Val, her intentions, the motivation for revenge at Derrick’s treatment of her in Las Vegas, obsessive? The confrontation, the shooting, are using him? Both wounded? And Derrick revealing that he had taped her and had her confession?
14. Audiences enjoying variations on the fatal attraction themes?