JULY’S EROTIC THRILLS IN THE NIGHT: DISCLOSURE (1994).

While our nations may be divided, there is one thing we can all agree on. The ultimate trifecta moment in erotic thriller history is the Michael Douglas triple assault of Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct and today’s spotlighted masterpiece, Disclosure. Nobody has been pushed and seduced to the ultimate brink like our pal Michael Douglas. For all the straight-to-video VHS thrillers and Andrew Stevens/Shannon Tweed late night Skinemax splendor, at the end of the day Mr. Douglas wipes of the floor with all of them and reigns supreme.

The only challenge is choosing just one erotic thriller from his unmatched run from ’87 to ’94. Today with great stress, we’ve chosen 1994’s Disclosure, a film that because I’m being forced to pick just one, is easily the movie that gets discussed the least of the three. But make no mistake, Disclosure has it all and then some. Welcome to our Erotic Thrills In The Night for the month of July, D I S C L O S U R E.

Douglas stars as Tom Sanders, a man that seemingly “has it all”. The big office job, wonderful family, wife who looks like she belongs on an ad for Martha’s Vineyard and yes, she drives a Volvo station wagon. Tom is a production line manager at his 1990’s computer technology company and his corporate position is only growing as he plans to take over a merger with a larger company. But that won’t be the only thing that’s growing in the first 30 minutes of this film.

Enter Meredith Baxter, played by Demi Moore, a cutting-edge female executive who’s been hired to head the CD-ROM division. Tom is baffled as he expected to be promoted to this position but the company CEO wants to “break the glass ceiling” and therefore Meredith is brought in. Additionally, Tom and Meredith have somewhat of a personal history, which at this early point in the film is only hinted at.

Things turn dangerously steamy when legs-for-days Meredith calls Tom into her office to discuss problems with Malaysia-manufactured CD-ROM drives (isn’t that how this always begins?). Meredith seduces Tom after what begins as a shoulder massage. They round a few bases before Tom tries to stop from slipping her the big one. Meredith screams at him in a rage with some of the best lines of dialogue in the movie. Trust me when I say this is the only Demi Moore erotica you really need. Forget about that overrated dud Striptease and go to your nearest video store to rent Disclosure.

Tom sues the company after he is hit with a bogus sexual harassment suit from Meredith for their brief horny wrestling match in the office.

Sexual harassment. Corporate politics. Is there anything better? Michael Douglas then goes on a fight for his job and his family against one of the most cunning and ruthless women in the ’90s tech field. One aspect I love about Disclosure is all the corporate office jargon and “merger” mumbo-jumbo dialogue throughout the movie. It’s not a criticism as it’s not irritating but very entertaining as the film is based on a novel by Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, Congo).

Without spoiling the climactic scene, just wait until you see a 1990’s virtual reality corridor sequence with Michael Douglas as you’ve never seen him before.

Our slack-wearing, high blood pressured, tassel-loafered hero puts on a performance in Disclosure that blows away any of his erotic thriller competitors. What other actor can you imagine pulling this off in their career? It’s the Michael Douglas charm.

TNUC’s rankings for the “big 3”:
#1 Fatal Attraction
#2 Disclosure
#3 Basic Instinct

‘Erotic Thrills In The Night’ is a monthly chronicle into the forgotten world of the erotic thriller movie genre. These sultry titles and steamy VHS covers were at their absolute peak during the early 1990’s but as years progress, they fall deeper into the abyss. Inspired by the recent documentary We Kill For Love, this monthly feature will attempt to resurrect these films and keep you on the brink of seduction. We can’t predict what indecent behavior will be committed or how much illicit, unprotected, promiscuous activity will ensue, but prepare for a wild ride with lots of saxophone.