Consenting Adults (1992 film)

Consenting Adults is a 1992 American thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula. It stars well-known actors such as Kevin Kline, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Kevin Spacey, and Rebecca Miller. The story follows a group of friends whose lives become complicated after a secret is revealed, leading to tension and unexpected events.

The film’s music was composed by Michael Small, adding an important layer to the mood and atmosphere of the story. One famous line from the movie is: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife,” which hints at the themes of secrets and relationships that drive the plot. This movie is remembered for its strong performances and suspenseful storytelling.

For those interested in a different take, there is also a 2007 BBC Four TV movie with the same title: see Consenting Adults (2007 film).

Plot

Composer Richard Parker and his wife Priscilla live quiet suburban lives until meeting new neighbors Eddy and Kay Otis, who become friends. However, things take a dark turn when Richard unknowingly spends the night with Kay, who is later found murdered. Evidence points to Richard, leading to his divorce from Priscilla.

Richard discovers Kay is actually alive and was part of a scheme by Eddy. After Eddy murders Kay to keep her quiet, Richard and Priscilla work together to confront him. In a final confrontation, they manage to stop Eddy, and later move to a remote home far from any neighbors.

Cast

The film featured many talented actors. Kevin Kline played Richard Parker, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio played his wife, Priscilla Parker. Kevin Spacey portrayed Eddy Otis, and Rebecca Miller played Kay Otis. Other actors included Forest Whitaker as David Duttonville and E. G. Marshall as George Gutton.

Reception

The film "Consenting Adults" received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 29% rating from 14 reviews. On Metacritic, it has a score of 39% based on reviews from 23 critics, which indicates "generally unfavorable" reviews. Two famous critics, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, had very different opinions. Siskel thought the film was depressing and didn't develop its characters well, while Ebert enjoyed it as an interesting thriller with compelling characters. One film critic from The Province called the film "Pond Scum, Actually."