Shooting intimate scenes has never been easy, as they require a huge deal of trust, professionalism, and clear coordination within the team and actors. Not many movies have taken it to the edge during the early days like the 1987 romantic thriller Fatal Attraction did.
Michael Douglas, who has worked in popular erotic thrillers like Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction, recently shared some behind-the-scenes’ stories that probably cannot be imagined now. These facts give the viewers an idea of how early Hollywood dealt with love scenes before going through the shift.
How Fatal Attraction Was Filmed Without Intimacy Coordinators
The story of Fatal Attraction is about Dan Gallagher and Alex Forrest, played by Michael Douglas and Glenn Close. The movie was directed by Adrian Lyne, and it came at a time when the AIDS epidemic was a huge topic of discussion.
One of the most talked-about scenes in the movie includes Douglas and Close having an intimate encounter in the kitchen. During an episode of EW Reunites on PEN (via Entertainment Weekly), both actors talked about their casual approach toward the scene. Douglas said, “S*x in movies is always a delicate line. Glenn was raring to go.”
Close, on the other hand, managed to find humor during the scene, which made her act comfortably. She said, “I like it because it’s not terribly romantic. It’s very real and kind of desperate and funny.”
During his recent appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, Douglas talked about the specifics of the scene. He revealed how Lyne asked for ideas and how Close came up with some.
When I had Glenn Close up on the kitchen counter and this and that and Adrian said, ‘Do you have any ideas,’ and Glenn said ‘Well what about I lean back and turn the water on and then my fingers to the water, get my fingers all wet let’s stick them in your mouth..’ [Adrian]’that might work.’
When Douglas was asked if he had any problems while shooting intimate scenes, he said, “No, there wasn’t. I’ve never had any problem in that at all.” Douglas reveals his “secret” to filming intimate scenes is “just don’t surprise your actress, leading lady.”
This approach might seem unimaginable to the current generation of actors and viewers since intimacy coordinators have been introduced. They almost became a necessity after the #MeToo movement to work as advocates and choreographers for actors during intimate scenes.
The difference between then and now is quite significant. Today, producers use intimacy coordinators to make sure that the consent of the actors is involved. They also safeguard actors, especially the newcomers who might feel inexperienced in such situations.
Michael Douglas’ Mixed Feelings About Modern Intimacy Coordination
Speaking to The Telegraph recently, Michael Douglas shared his view on Hollywood’s new approach to filming intimate scenes. The veteran actor expressed concern that intimacy coordinators may sometimes limit creativity, suggesting it feels like “executives taking control away from filmmakers.”
Douglas prefers the traditional approach, which was based on mutual respect and communication between the actors and the team. He said,
S*x scenes are like fight scenes, it’s all choreographed. In my experience, you take responsibility as the man to make sure the woman is comfortable, you talk it through. You say, ‘Ok, I’m gonna touch you here if that’s all right’. It’s very slow but looks like it’s happening organically, which is hopefully what good acting looks like.
However, the actor also admitted “there have been some terrible faux pas and harassment,” which is why the new safeguard system has been introduced.
For young actors and viewers who are used to today’s structured approach to intimate scenes, Douglas’ words and earlier approach might feel shocking. However, his recollections show the evolution of Hollywood and also spark some discussions about balancing creative freedom with professional safeguards.
Fatal Attraction is available to stream on Netflix.
Frequently asked questions
Who told the story about how the Fatal Attraction kitchen scene was created?
Michael Douglas recounted it during an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher. He recalled that director Adrian Lyne asked the cast for ideas for the intimate kitchen scene, and that co-star Glenn Close suggested the playful bit involving turning on the running water and using wet fingers, which Lyne agreed could work.
Who starred in and directed Fatal Attraction, and when was it released?
Fatal Attraction is a 1987 thriller starring Michael Douglas as Dan Gallagher and Glenn Close as Alex Forrest. It was directed by Adrian Lyne and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
How did Glenn Close describe the tone of the kitchen scene?
In comments cited by the article, Close said she liked the moment precisely because it was not conventionally romantic, describing it as very real, a little desperate, and funny. Douglas added that his guiding rule when filming such scenes was simply to never surprise his leading lady.
