Not predictable in a predictable way

"Unfaithful", although not a truly satisfying film by any stretch, at least does not play itself out in a garishly predictable fashion, and for this alone it is worth sitting through.

Diane Lane - who looks strikingly like Tuesday Weld in some of her shots - provides a believable center for the proceedings, although the pivotal literally-swept-into-another-man's-arms scene felt more than a shade contrived. (Plus I grew up in NYC, and I've never experienced that sort of gale force wind in all the years I lived there.) But Gere and Lane are good together, with many moments of unspoken subtlety passing between them. Lyne is remarkably restrained here - none of the hystrionics of, say, Lolita's climactic scene (which actually holds up, thanks to Jeremy Irons' and Frank Langella's superb talents), and it works to his advantage very well.

The film IS predictable, though, in that it does break down into three obvious acts - girl meets another boy, girl sneaks around to be with this other boy, hubby finds out and goes ballistic with tragic consequences. But it does play out in an intelligent and thoughtful manner, which counts for something in my book.