There has been a lot of press lately within the show business community doing what they can in the fight against cancer. One actor who is doing his part is Michael Douglas. It was recently revealed that Douglas was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. That hasn’t stopped him because he has kept on working and his latest film, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” has just come into theaters. The Toddster has brought the patrol crew back and asked them to tell us about their favorite Douglas movies and what they mean to them. Michael has been a terrific actor and has a range few have been able to cover throughout their careers. We have a few favorites and we hope you like them, too.
MELISSA STAGNARO
War of the Roses (1989)
I’ll never forget the first time I saw this 1989 film starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Oliver and Barbara Rose, and Danny DeVito as the narrator/divorce attorney. Based on the novel of the same name by Warren Adler, the movie is a cautionary tale about divorce. But in my naiveté, I didn’t realize that.
Prior to watching “War of the Roses,” my only experience with divorce was the feel good movie version a la “The Parent Trap” - the Hayley Mills version. As I watched Barbara and Oliver meet, fall in love and get married, I was convinced this too would have a happy ending. Sure, I saw the facade of their happiness start to splinter, as friction grew and their incompatibility became evident. But I was convinced - wrongly, as it turned out - that underneath it all, they still loved one another to overcome their difference. Even when they were at each other’s throats, fighting tooth and nail over their house and possessions, I was sure that at some point they would recognize the error of their ways.
In fact, I kept hoping for that happy ending all the way to the bitter, bitter end. Even as Oliver used his last bit of strength to put his hand lovingly on Barbara’s shoulder, as they lay broken and battered, I still had hope.
Until, of course, Barbara used the last bit of her strength to knock his hand away. At which point those hopes were shattered just like the chandelier that was the end of them both.
Because there is no happy ending. This is a cautionary tale, depicting the worst-case scenario tale of how two people, who once professed to love one another, can melt down into two, snarling wildebeests out to rip one another apart just for spite. But it’s masterfully done. Which is why it’s hands down one of my favorite Michael Douglas films.
JEFF GENUNG
Disclosure (1994)
Sure that at least one of my colleagues would pick “Fatal Attraction” (but none did!), I instead opted for the lesser known of Douglas’ pyscho-witch thrillers, Barry Levinson’s “Disclosure.” Based on the book by Michael Chrichton, “Disclosure” tells the tale of Seattle software exec Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas), who’s passed over for a major promotion in favor of shark Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), who also happens to be his former lover. When Meredith gets all aggressive and wants to resume their affair, now-married man Tom demurs. Next day, she hits him with a sexual harassment suit.
The film is an interesting exploration of double standards when it comes to workplace sex – in this instance it’s actually Tom who’s being harassed, but no one believes him. Turns out there’s much more to Meredith’s plan – she’s out to set Tom up to take the fall for a software snafu that she’s responsible for. Full of corporate intrigue and plenty of twists and turns, “Disclosure” is a great play on the “Fatal Attraction” theme. Plus it’s cool to see the cheesy computer graphics, back when “e-mail” was newly-fangled – and the set for the fictional DigiCom has to be the coolest office on film, ever. Though Douglas is great as Tom, the film really belongs to the brassy Meredith, and Demi Moore hasn’t been that engaging since.
TYLER MURPHY
American President (1995)
