Indecent Proposal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A broke couple gambles away their future, then a silver fox offers them a million bucks to ‘borrow’ the wife for a night, causing intense marital awkwardness and a surprising amount of yachting.

🍿 Indecent Proposal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Financial Hardship and a Gamble

David and Diana Murphy, a loving couple, face financial ruin due to a recession. They decide to take their last $5,000 to Las Vegas, hoping to win enough money to save their dream home. Their initial luck turns sour, leaving them desperate and disheartened.

The Indecent Proposal

In Las Vegas, they encounter John Gage, a charming billionaire. Gage is captivated by Diana and offers them a million dollars for one night with her. Initially repulsed, David and Diana are tempted by the possibility of solving their financial woes. After much deliberation, they reluctantly accept the proposal, signing a legal contract to ensure Diana’s return.

Aftermath and Relationship Strain

Following the night with Gage, David becomes consumed by jealousy and insecurity. The couple’s relationship deteriorates as they struggle to cope with the emotional consequences of their decision. David’s trust in Diana wavers, leading to arguments and distance between them.

Gage’s Pursuit and Diana’s Dilemma

Gage continues to pursue Diana, further complicating the situation. He buys their property and attempts to integrate himself into her life. Diana finds herself torn between her loyalty to David and the allure of Gage’s wealth and attention. David and Diana eventually separate under the strain.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Gage (Robert Redford): A suave and wealthy billionaire who offers a married couple $1 million for a night with the wife, testing the boundaries of love and money.
• Diana Murphy (Demi Moore): A young, married real estate agent who faces a moral dilemma when offered a million dollars to spend the night with a billionaire.
• David Murphy (Woody Harrelson): An architect and Diana’s husband, whose relationship is strained by the ‘indecent proposal’ and the subsequent emotional fallout.
• Jeremy (Oliver Platt): David’s friend and a lawyer, who finds himself in a complicated situation when he helps the couple draw up a contract for the proposal.
• William Shackleford (Seymour Cassel): John Gage’s loyal chauffeur, who quietly observes the unfolding drama with a knowing perspective.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• John Gage: “I’m offering you one million dollars.” – This is the central offer that drives the entire plot, presenting the moral dilemma at the heart of the film.
• David Murphy: “What she feels for me, you can’t buy with a million dollars.” – David’s assertion of the power of their love, challenging Gage’s belief that money can buy anything.
• Diana Murphy: “Someone once said, if you want something very badly, set it free. If it comes back to you, it’s yours forever. If it doesn’t, it was never yours to begin with.” – Diana expresses the sentiment of letting go and trusting the strength of their bond to determine their future.
• Jeremy: “You’re not selling her, you’re renting her.” – Said by their lawyer, attempting to lighten the gravity of the situation with cynical humor.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $38,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $106,614,059
• Worldwide Gross: $266,614,059

💥 Indecent Proposal Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I remember seeing this back in the day and being totally scandalized! The idea of someone offering that kind of money for a night was insane. Looking back, it’s still a wild concept, but I’m more interested in the relationship drama. Woody Harrelson does a great job of showing the husband’s insecurities, and Demi Moore is amazing as the wife stuck in the middle. That scene where she breaks down and says ‘If I tell you he wasn’t any good, I’m a liar’ hits hard. Sure, it’s a bit cheesy, but it makes you think about what you’d do in that situation.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic dramas with a provocative premise”
  • “Viewers interested in exploring themes of love, money, and morality”
  • “Those who enjoy movies starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief sexual content”
  • “Mature themes including infidelity and financial hardship”
  • “Suggestive dialogue”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Indecent Proposal throws a provocative premise at the screen, but the ensuing exploration of love and morality feels strangely flat and uninspired. It’s a glossy melodrama that ultimately lacks depth.
• RogerEbert.com: “While the film grapples with interesting questions about love, money, and trust, it often gets bogged down in melodrama. Redford is suitably charming, but the film ultimately lacks the courage to fully explore its darker themes. Despite the strong performances, the story feels somewhat contrived.
• Variety: “Adrian Lyne’s visually stunning direction does little to alleviate the shallow plot and underdeveloped characters. The film’s reliance on surface-level theatrics overshadows any genuine emotional impact, leaving audiences with an empty, albeit beautiful, experience.

Audience Reactions

The initial proposition scene in Vegas sparks intense debate and makes viewers question their values.: Many find the central question of ‘what would you do?’ captivating and worthy of discussion.

Demi Moore’s performance and style created a 90s beauty icon: Viewers praise the overall glossiness of the film.

Overall Consensus: Indecent Proposal is a divisive film that elicits strong reactions. While some appreciate its exploration of morality and relationships, others find it shallow and melodramatic. The central question remains thought-provoking, but the execution is uneven.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Adrian Lyne and Demi Moore frequently disagreed on set about her character’s portrayal, with Woody Harrelson acting as a mediator. Lyne desired Moore to exhibit vulnerability, while the actress defended her choices. During editing, Lyne realized Moore was delivering what he wanted and apologized.”
• “The role of John Gage was initially offered to several other actors before Robert Redford accepted it.”
• “The film sparked widespread public debate about the central question: Would you let your spouse sleep with someone else for a million dollars?”

🖥️ How to Watch Indecent Proposal?

Indecent Proposal is currently available to stream on Paramount+ and can be rented or purchased on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Indecent Proposal, you might like these similar films:

• Fatal Attraction (1987): Explores the dangerous consequences of a brief encounter on a marriage, with intense psychological drama.
• Unfaithful (2002): A wife’s affair has devastating effects on her marriage. Focuses on the guilt, betrayal, and consequences of infidelity.
• Original Sin (2001): Deals with betrayal, love, and deception within a marriage, set against a backdrop of financial stakes and moral compromise.
• Closer (2004): Examines the complexities and destructive nature of modern relationships, affairs, and the search for intimacy.
• Disclosure (1994): Explores themes of sexual harassment, power dynamics, and betrayal in a corporate setting.

🛒 Indecent Proposal Related Products

• Indecent Proposal [Blu-ray]: Relive the scandal and drama in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Perfect for collectors and fans of 90s romance.
• Indecent Proposal (Kindle Edition): Dive deeper into the story that inspired the film. Explore the nuances of the characters and moral dilemmas in the original novel.
• Robert Redford: The Biography: Explore the life and career of the actor who played John Gage and how it impacted his image.
• Demi Moore 90s Movie Collection [DVD]: A collection showcasing Demi Moore’s iconic performances from the 1990s. Perfect for fans of her work.

🎧 Soundtrack

Indecent Proposal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “No Ordinary Love” – performed by Sade
• “You Light Up My Life” – performed by Joseph Brooks
• “In All The Right Places” – performed by Lisa Stansfield

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘Frank’s decent proposal’ ITS ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA #funny #shorts

Remember that crazy ‘Indecent Proposal’ movie? Well, ‘It’s Always Sunny’ did a hilarious take on it with Frank involved! You have to see this short clip; it’s pure comedic gold and surprisingly insightful about the movie’s core themes.

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