With all the hullabaloo surrounding the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey Sequel, we forget the original legendary erotic thriller that spawned it all. 9 1/2 Weeks. The eating scene? Come on, an absolute classic.
Coincidentally, the cult film’s star – one Miss Kim Basinger, also has a prime role in Fifty Shades Darker.
The title of the movie, 9 1/2 Weeks, points to the duration of a relationship between two people played by Basinger and Mickey Rourke. They engage in an array of sexual experimentations that eventually ascend to a dangerous level of sadomasochism. It’s an intriguing look at human nature and sexuality set in the city of hedonists, New York.
The film is a loaded favourite, and since we missed its 30th birthday early last year, we wanted to tally 91/2 facts about this wet and sticky piece of cinema.
1
Body doubles were used for Kim’s character Elizabeth throughout the film.
2
The Director Adrien Lyne used some unnerving tactics to bring out the incredible performance from Kim. He wouldn’t allow the two principal actors to speak or interact off the set and would lie to Basinger about Rourke’s feelings for her.
3
Elizabeth is only seen in dark clothing when she’s with John – visually symbolising the dark urges he breeds in her character.
4
The movie is based on a book which details the ‘true story’ of Elizabeth McNeil. In fact, the author Ingeborg Day was a sexual prisoner who was severely injured and hospitalized at the end of the 9 ½ weeks.
5
Kim Basinger owns hours of unseen footage of the film which isn’t available for public view.
6
In a preview screening for the film, 1,000 people attended and 40 walked out claiming they hated it.
7
A sequel to the film called Another 91/2 Weeks was released in 1997 with Rourke reprising his role. Angie Everhart starred instead of Kim Basinger.
8
The film was shot over 10 weeks, in sequential order.
9
Mickey Rourke slapped a shocked Kim Basinger before a scene to make her cry. It worked.
0.5
The uncut version is available on Blu-Ray and DVD, get it here.