Demi Moore stars in the iconic drama Indecent Proposal, alongside Robert Redford and Woody Harrelson, directed by Adrian Lyne. The story follows young couple Diana and David Murphy, facing financial turmoil, who encounter a billionaire offering a million dollars for a night with Diana. Moore shares insights from filming, highlighting Lyne’s unconventional methods and the film’s artistic portrayal of intimacy. Released in 1993, the film achieved significant box office success, grossing $266 million worldwide.
Revisiting a Classic: Indecent Proposal
Over three decades ago, Demi Moore graced the screen alongside legendary stars Robert Redford and Woody Harrelson in the provocative drama, Indecent Proposal. Directed by Adrian Lyne, famed for his works like 9½ Weeks and Fatal Attraction, this film tells the compelling story of Diana and David Murphy, played by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson.
As college sweethearts who tie the knot at a young age, their love faces challenges when financial struggles arise due to a recession. In a desperate bid to overcome their mounting bills, they venture to Las Vegas, hoping to win $50,000 through gambling. However, fortune does not favor them, leading to a total loss.
Amidst their despair, they encounter John Gage, portrayed by Robert Redford, a mysterious billionaire who presents David with an audacious offer: one million dollars for a single night with Diana.
Inside the Filming Experience
In her memoir, ‘The Other Side of a Life,’ Demi Moore candidly discusses director Adrian Lyne’s unconventional filmmaking style. She notes, “[He] was known for his moody character and films filled with sexual intensity: Fatal Attraction, Flashdance, Jacob’s Ladder.” Moore recounts her history with the director, emphasizing how she had auditioned for many of his films, including Girls Just Want to Have Fun, where she was ultimately not cast.
When filming Indecent Proposal commenced, Moore recalls a particularly memorable first scene, where she found herself rolling around in her underwear on a bed of cash. She was forewarned by Glenn Close about Lyne’s unique approach to intimate scenes, which involved shouting encouragements during filming, reminiscent of his work on Fatal Attraction.
Moore elaborates on the experience, stating, “Adrian is a real voyeur, which partly explains why his films are so intense. On set, it was madness: he didn’t stop talking, almost screaming, throughout the filming of the sex scenes.” Despite the initial shock of his loud and bold demeanor, she eventually embraced his style, finding it quite engaging.
“Adrian’s ramblings made me forget my doubts and discomfort,” Moore reflects. “Once I realized I shouldn’t take his craziness too seriously, it became amusing to watch him gesticulating and shouting while Woody Harrelson and I portrayed our characters’ passion.” She praises the end results, asserting that the shots were anything but vulgar, emphasizing that Lyne’s films convey eroticism without crossing into sordid territory.
Filming Indecent Proposal was no easy feat for Moore. Rising at 1:30 AM for daily training sessions that included jogging, cycling, and weightlifting, she would then spend long hours on set, shooting from 4 AM to 4 PM in Las Vegas. Despite the challenges, the actress acknowledges that despite their differences, she has never felt more beautifully captured on screen. “All the actors radiated in Indecent Proposal, as if lit from within,” she states, crediting Lyne’s meticulousness in lighting and storytelling.
With a production budget of $38 million, Indecent Proposal emerged as a box office triumph, grossing an impressive $266 million globally. Upon its May 1993 release in France, the film drew in 1.3 million intrigued viewers, solidifying its status as a cinematic classic.