Join The Community
Fatal Attraction (1987)
The Film: Yes, this is the one where Glenn Close goes mental and chases Michael Douglas around with a kitchen knife.
The Affair: When Daniel (Douglas) has a teeny, tiny little fling with Alex (Close), he's eager to sweep it under the rug.
Alex, however, won't let it rest, and things soon get ugly.
Long-Term Relationship? Although Alex hopes it could be the start of a long and passionate affair, her bonfire is well and truly pissed all over when the wife catches wind of it...
Swimfan (2002)
The Film: Swimfan was hailed as 'the teenage Fatal Attraction ".
The Affair: Ben is in a happy relationship and is doing well at school, as an aspiring professional swimmer.
He accidentally has a bit of rumpy-pumpy in the pool with Madison, his biggest fan. He lives to regret it.
Long-Term Relationship? Madison's not really girlfriend material. We'd give this one a pass.
American Beauty (1999)
The Film: Sam Mendes' debut is centred around Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a man in the thick of a midlife crisis, who becomes infatuated with his daughter's best friend, Angela (Mena Suvari).
These fantasies usually involve rose petals. Lots and lots of rose petals. It'd be a nightmare if he got hayfever.
Long-Term Relationship? Happily for al, it turns out that real-life Angela doesn't quite match up to fantasy Angela.
Well, we say all , but Lester does eventually get a bullet in the back of the head so he might as well have... Y'know.
Face/Off (1997)
The Film: Face/Off is simply a film about Nicolas Cage and John Travolta swapping faces.
If it sounds ridiculously far-fetched, that's because it is.
The Affair: When Castor (the baddie) comes home to Archer (the goodie)'s wife, he assumes the identity of Archer. Therefore, Fake-Archer's relationship with Real-Archer's wife is technically an affair, even if wifey's not aware of it.
Long-Term Relationship? Not likely - the penny was bound to drop sooner or later and Real-Archer is too volatile to keep in the dark for long ("GIVE ME BACK MY FACE!!!")
Death Becomes Her (1992)
The Film: Death Becomes Her proved that immortality comes at a hefty price.
The Affair: While married to Madeline (Streep), Ernest (Bruce Willis) has an affair with Helen (Hawn). The adulterous lovers plot to kill Madeline. Unfortunately, Madeline just won't die.
Long-Term Relationship? Understandably a bit freaked out by the whole thing, Ernest scarpers. It's probably for the best.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The Film: Based on the short story by Annie Proulx, Brokeback Mountain caused a sensation on its release.
We've seen way more offensive love scenes. These guys are pretty!
The Affair: Ledger's Ennis falls in love with Gyllenhaal's Jack. Which is marvellous, except that they both have wives.
Long-Term Relationship? They're in it for the long-haul.
The Good Girl (2002)
The Film: It's another one involving naughty-boy Jake Gyllenhaal. He just can't keep his trousers on...
The Affair: Holden provides a welcome escape from Justine's mundane existence. Until they get found out, that is. Then things stop being so fun.
Long-Term Relationship? It could have worked out wonderfully. But Justine gets cold feet and ruins everything. Tsch!
Little Children (2006)
The Film: Aaand... another film about a bored and isolated woman, trapped in a mundane existence, seeking a little excitement.
The Affair: Underappreciated Sarah buys a raunchy red bathing suit and seduces spunky dad Brad (Patrick Wilson), who's also married.
They tug on that thread and just keep on pulling.
Long-Term Relationship? They get their come-uppance, and then some. The guilt'll surely wash away any lasting loving feelings.
Brief Encounter (1945)
The Film: When housewife Laura (Cecilia Johnson) finds herself falling for Alec (Trevor Howard), she discovers a love which is vibrant and exciting, unlike the dutiful connection she feels for her husband.
It's also the most polite. They go about it in such a proper way. It's all terribly, terribly sexless and British.
Long-Term Relationship? Alas, no. And they don't even get to say a proper goodbye, either. It's interrupted by some jibbering idiot at the train station.
Wonder Boys (2000)
The Film: Grady Tripp has writer's block.
The Affair: Grady (Michael Douglas) and Sara (Frances McDormand) appear to be properly in love.
So, although it's deceitful and immoral, it's not so sordid really .
Long-Term Relationship? Why, yes! Sara falls pregnant with Grady's baby.
Nothing keeps a relationship strong like an accidental pregnancy!
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
The Film: Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons play Anna and Mike. They're actors playing the parts of Sarah and Charles in a film adaptation of The French Lieutenant's Woman . It's a metafictional party!
He manages to free himself from the shackles of Victorian society in order to pursue his dream woman. Scandal ensues.
Long-Term Relationship? Sarah is a wild one. She will not be tamed or domesticated.
The Graduate (1967)
The Film: The movie that launched Dustin Hoffman into the world of superstardom - his performance as stumbling, awkward Ben gave him the leg-up he deserved.
When Mrs Robinson asks Ben if he'd like to have an affair, he's flustered at first. Of course, ( of course ) he accepts. You would, wouldn't you.
Long-Term Relationship? Ben ends up falling in love with Mrs Robinson's daughter, instead. She's got more shelf-life, after all.
