Adrian Lyne Biography
Born: March 04, 1941
Date of Birth: March 4, 1941
Born in Cambridgeshire, England, and brought up in London, Lyne spent much of his school days going to the movies and watching European films. Beginning his career in the mailroom of London's J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency, Lyne soon worked his way up to become an assistant producer of commercials at two other companies.
By 1971, he and two partners set up their own company where Lyne began to direct. Lyne began creating his own movies starting with shorts like The Table (1971) and Mr. Smith (1974). Both were well received at the London Film Festival.
Using the successful short films as a diving board, Lyne took a giant leap into Hollywood and created his first full-length feature, Foxes (1980). The coming of age story of four runaway teenage girls, starring Jodie Foster, became a critical success. He followed up with the film, Flashdance (1983), whose jubilant blend of rock 'n' roll, and new dance styles made the film a sensation among viewers.
Between films, Lyne returned to making commercials for companies like Calvin Klein and Pepsi. He enjoyed the process of commercial work and felt being away from the camera for years at a time was foolish.
His work then became controversial when critics banned parts of Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986) from U.S. screens (though the full film became a hit overseas). The following year he released Fatal Attraction, which struck a powerful chord with audiences, becoming one of the year's most successful films and garnering Lyne Best Director nominations from both the Golden Globe and Academy Awards.
Following the controversial Jacob's Ladder (1990), about the emotional turmoil of a Vietnam vet which received lukewarm results at the box office, he ventured back toward more commercial material with Indecent Proposal (1993). The glossy examination of how the sexes look at relationships and money, did not reflect the popularity of his work in the 80's and even earned Lyne a Razzie nomination for the year's worst director.
Before leaving the 20th century, he released yet another controversial film, Lolita (1997). Focused on a sexual relationship between an adult and child, the film received a strong response in Europe but a tepid one in America.
Lyne began the millennium with another relationship film, Unfaithful (2002), about a woman who cheats on her perfect marriage, and her husband's violent reaction when he discovers it.
Filmography:
Unfaithful (2002)Lolita (1997)
Indecent Proposal (1993)
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Fatal Attraction (1987)
Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986)
Flashdance (1983)
Foxes (1980)