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Nine 1/2 Weeks

Play trailer Poster for Nine 1/2 Weeks R Released Feb 21, 1986 1h 53m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Two strangers, Wall Street trader John (Mickey Rourke) and art gallery assistant Elizabeth (Kim Basinger), become involved in a new relationship. What begins as a courtship, though, becomes extremely sexual, as John begins to push for more daring and kinky scenarios, including striptease and bondage. Although their passion is strong, Elizabeth starts to realize that John is not sharing any part of his life besides sex. She must make a decision about what she wants from their relationship.
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Nine 1/2 Weeks

Nine 1/2 Weeks

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Critics Consensus

9 1/2 Weeks' famously steamy sex scenes titillate though the drama unfolding between the beddings is relatively standard for the genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Julie Salamon Wall Street Journal The movie that remains is lovely to look at, but spiritless, a listless coquette. It brings to mind the ads for Calvin Klein’s perfume, Obsession. Aug 11, 2022 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 2/5 Apr 16, 2003 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times A lot of the success of 9 1/2 Weeks is because Rourke and Basinger make the characters and their relationship convincing. Rourke's Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ‘…due a re-appraisal; it’s actually got a fierce female perspective and dares to look at how to resist controlling men in a fairly unflinching way…' Rated: 3/5 Jan 3, 2023 Full Review Susan Jhirad Sojourner The ultimate weakness of the film is the contemptibility of its two leads. Aug 22, 2019 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com [VIDEO ESSAY] With its tantalizing title suggesting an ideal timeline for a fetishized affair, Adrian Lyne's beautifully stylized adaptation of Elizabeth McNeill's novel is a milestone of mainstream erotic cinema. Rated: A May 1, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jose R 9 1/2 Weeks is an intriguing exploration of amour fou, a passionate and all-consuming love that’s as beautiful as it is dangerous. For its time, the film was remarkably modern, challenging the conventional portrayals of romance by delving into a more intense, sometimes unsettling, relationship dynamic. The cinematography is striking, with each frame carefully crafted to amplify the raw emotions at play. The lighting adds another layer, creating an almost sensual ambiance that mirrors the film's themes of desire and obsession. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of iconic '80s tracks, perfectly complements the atmosphere, underscoring the tension and vulnerability between the two leads. Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke have palpable chemistry, making their relationship feel both magnetic and unpredictable. Basinger’s elegance and Rourke’s intensity create a complex emotional dynamic that keeps the viewer engaged, even as their connection veers into uncomfortable territory. What sets 9 1/2 Weeks apart is its fearless portrayal of love that transcends the traditional. It’s a film that holds up not only for its bold, ahead-of-its-time narrative, but also for its immersive sensory experience, creating a world where passion and power dynamics collide in a beautifully haunting way. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/16/24 Full Review David F This erotic film about a torrid romance has a lot of 80s style in terms of setting, fashion, furniture, music, and design, and the eroticism is a throwback to when movies were not shy about being sexy. In this case not aging well could be seen as a bonus. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/04/24 Full Review Pete H Marginally better than Wild Orchid. Don't waste your time. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/02/24 Full Review Ian B Well shot and directed. Great acting and soundtrack. Unlike a scene from this movie, the audience is not "spoon fed" ; the director leaves room for interpretation of the symbolism and meaning. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/25/24 Full Review Audience Member Possibly one of the sexiest films of the 80s. You could definitely call this the pre-Fifty Shades of Grey. It's also based on the true story of Elizabeth McNeill. Liz and John are two strangers that meet and have a chance encounter with one another. He's a Wall Street trader and she's at an art gallery. Throughout their continual meetings they dive into a passionate, steamy physical relationship. But John starts engaging in more kinky scenarios that are foreign to her. It goes to the point where she acts as a submissive. Is the physical act of love all that makes up their connection? Maybe it's possible Liz wants something more. The movie truly takes advantage of its kinky nature going from using icicles to food to self satisfaction. Both of these people explore hidden passions. But there is a point where if one of them has to say no it would end faster. Perhaps John may end up having feelings he never knew, the turn ons he suggests may only be a facade. The ending is definitely downtrodden once the actual drama sets in. You have to give both Rourke and Basinger kudos for truly committing both physically and emotionally to their parts. Despite the massive amount of changes from McNeills autobiography this is still a very steamy experience showing how long the erotic nature can last before completely crumbling. Director Adrienne Lynne gets the excitement across that's for sure and even if much of his original vision is lost on the cutting room floor the movie still illustrates control and power. It doesn't have to be just one party in the relationship to be in charge all the time, either one of them can end it fast or later. Makes a good impression and this will do the trick for many couples out there who are in the mood for something exotic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/24 Full Review Jenny D I loved it! The two leads are both gorgeous creatures to behold........and the sexy magnetism of Mickey Rourke cannot be denied. WOW........I don't find this film dated at all, especially with some of the tasteless smut around these days.......this was subtle and great. Even the music stands the test of time, and still sounds good. I'm keen to read the book and see what the film missed, as I have heard Mickey Rourke talk in interviews about wanting to go further in the movie........and that Kim Basinger has 14 hours of unseen film that has never been released to the public. Now THAT would be worth seeing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Nine 1/2 Weeks

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Movie Info

Synopsis Two strangers, Wall Street trader John (Mickey Rourke) and art gallery assistant Elizabeth (Kim Basinger), become involved in a new relationship. What begins as a courtship, though, becomes extremely sexual, as John begins to push for more daring and kinky scenarios, including striptease and bondage. Although their passion is strong, Elizabeth starts to realize that John is not sharing any part of his life besides sex. She must make a decision about what she wants from their relationship.
Director
Adrian Lyne
Producer
Mark Damon, Sidney Kimmel, Zalman King
Screenwriter
Zalman King, Sarah Kernochan
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating
R
Genre
Romance, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 21, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 13, 2008
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
Surround
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