9½ Weeks
The Movie
9½ Weeks is an American erotic romantic drama film from 1986, directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. The story revolves around a New York City art gallery employee, portrayed by Basinger, who engages in a passionate yet brief affair with a mysterious Wall Street broker, played by Rourke. The screenplay, written by Sarah Kernochan, Zalman King, and Patricia Louisianna Knop, is an adaptation of the 1978 memoir titled “9½ Weeks” by Austrian-American author Ingeborg Day, writing under the pseudonym “Elizabeth McNeill.”
Although the film was completed in 1984, it faced delays in its release and eventually premiered in February 1986. Due to its explicit content, the American distributor Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer found it necessary to heavily edit the film before its release in the United States. As a result, it underperformed at the box office, earning only $6.7 million against its $17 million budget and receiving mixed reviews at the time. However, the unedited version of the film achieved significant success globally, particularly in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, grossing $100 million worldwide. Despite its initial reception, “9½ Weeks” has garnered a devoted fanbase through video and DVD releases, ultimately achieving cult status. Additionally, its soundtrack achieved commercial success, further contributing to the film’s popularity.
The Plot
Elizabeth McGraw, an employee at an art gallery in SoHo, crosses paths with John Gray, a Wall Street professional, during chance encounters. They gradually become involved romantically, with John displaying peculiar behavior. He gifts Elizabeth an expensive scarf and later presents her with a gold watch, instructing her to think about him at a specific time each day. Elizabeth indulges his desires and even engages in a sexual act at work.
John’s controlling tendencies become more pronounced as their relationship progresses. He discourages Elizabeth from spending time with her friends during the day, insisting on evening meetings only. Suspicion arises when Elizabeth discovers a photograph of John with another woman named April Tover. Confronted about her snooping, Elizabeth confesses, and John reacts with threats and physical abuse, culminating in a sexual assault.
Surprisingly, Elizabeth’s feelings for John intensify despite the abuse, leading her to embrace his controlling behavior and even engage in sexual encounters in unusual locations. John gradually assumes complete dominance over Elizabeth’s life, dictating her appearance, diet, and daily activities. Elizabeth loses her sense of self and becomes entirely reliant on John.
In one incident, Elizabeth accompanies John to his workplace, hoping to be accepted among his colleagues. However, she finds herself dressing in men’s clothing for a bar outing, which results in a violent altercation with strangers. Elizabeth’s declaration of love for John follows, leading to an intimate encounter at the scene of the incident.
John becomes increasingly brazen in displaying their BDSM-oriented relationship in public. He subjects Elizabeth to embarrassing situations, such as exposing her inappropriately to salespeople and engaging in public acts of domination. Elizabeth plays along, even performing a striptease as a twisted nod to their early encounters.
Their relationship takes a darker turn when John demands Elizabeth crawl on the floor and pick up the money he throws, resorting to physical violence when she resists. Elizabeth ultimately complies but expresses her disdain for the game by hurling the money at John.
Elizabeth’s behavior transforms, becoming more withdrawn at work and reminiscing about a previous lover. She seeks solace in the countryside, visiting an artist named Farnsworth to secure an exhibition.
In a hotel room meeting with John, Elizabeth is blindfolded and subjected to brief physical contact before another woman joins them. Elizabeth’s discomfort becomes evident, and she removes the blindfold. John proceeds to engage with the other woman while Elizabeth grows increasingly distressed. She intervenes, and a chaotic chase ensues, ultimately leading them to an adult entertainment venue where they reconcile.
Elizabeth’s gallery hosts a successful exhibition featuring Farnsworth’s artwork. However, she finds herself emotionally distraught and encounters Farnsworth at the event. Dependent on John for stability, she reaches out to him while wearing a symbolic metal bracelet. The following morning, Elizabeth attempts to leave John’s apartment, despite his confession of deep emotions. As she walks away, John starts a mental countdown, hoping she will return. The film concludes with Elizabeth, tearful and lost in a crowd of people.
The Cast
- Kim Basinger as Elizabeth McGraw
- Mickey Rourke as John Gray
- Margaret Whitton as Molly
- David Margulies as Harvey
- Christine Baranski as Thea
- Karen Young as Sue
- William DeAcutis as Ted
- Dwight Weist as Farnsworth
- Roderick Cook as Sinclair
- Olek Krupa as Bruce
- Michael Margotta as Michael
- Victor Truro as Gallery Client
- Julian Beck as Dinner Guest
- Dan Lauria as Janitor