Oh, the wonders of what Cinemax brings to its viewers.
First off, if you are a die-hard fan of the film "9 1/2 Weeks," please do not see this movie. Or see this movie, but forget that it's being billed as a prequel. This movie has nothing to do with Adrian Lyne's titillating masterpiece, save for the time period mentioned in the title (although the "plot" in this one lasts a mere week) and another blindfolded food scene. But that's about it.
Unfortunately for writer/director Alex Wright, the 9 1/2 Weeks tie-in does more bad than good. The blatantly ripped-off food/sex scene forces anyone who has seen the "original" movie to draw comparisons between the two. In any other Cinemax late-night B movie, the scene really does do it's job--we get to see Clara Bellar naked (again) in the throes of simulated passion. If you're watching television at a time and channel when this movie is being shown... well... this is what you were waiting for, isn't it? If, instead, you were looking for sensuality and eroticism, sorry.
If you've seen the scene in 9 1/2 Weeks, then you know what I'm talking about. Watching Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger in front of the refrigerator is--absolutely wonderful. The scene probably caused countless couples to run for their fridges and realize that foreplay could be fun after all. Strawberries just never tasted the same again.
Specifically, in "First 9 1/2," the scene forces you to shake your head in disbelief. Paul Mercurio gets fed a couple morsels of food, mentions "Yummy," and before you know it Clara Bellar is on her back yet again for another 90 seconds of bouncing breast exposure.
Alex Wright's "surprise" ending tries to make some deep points about human nature and visceral needs. Somehow, having a copious amount of adulterous sex builds character. It's entertainment. Maybe. I'll stick to late-night C-Span.
Mr. Wright: REPENT NOW. You may still salvage your career. And if you must make another prequel, pick another B-movie to rip off. Another ninety minutes of silicone, in this case, really would lend itself to plot continuity.
