Irresistible

Fatal attraction in Melbourne; not really, but sort of

A family in Melbourne (Sam Neill & Susan Sarandon) is threatened when a young woman attracts the husband at work (Emily Blunt). But is she really a threat or is the wife just paranoid?

"Irresistible" (2006) is a drama/mystery/thriller that throws in bits of “Fatal Attraction” (1987), “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968), “Poison Ivy” (1992), “Single White Female” (1992) and “What Lies Beneath” (2000), but is unique enough to stand on its own.

The style of the filmmaking took me a little bit of time to acclimate to. I suppose you could criticize it as a Lifetime movie with a bigger budget. But there are several things to appreciate, including some well-done visuals and the inevitable revelations.

Neill is always effective as the male protagonist. Sarandon is past her physical prime, but still in shape and dramatically effective. As for Blunt, this is one of her earlier roles. So she’s attractively youthful, but too thin; she’d fill out better for “Wind Chill” (2007).

The film runs 1 hour, 43 minutes, and was shot in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

GRADE: B-