When John Gage (Robert Redford) makes his offer, the film creates a tension between use-value and exchange-value. David and Diana view their marriage as a partnership of equals, yet Gage views Diana as a commodity to be acquired. The million dollars represents a "deus ex machina" that could save their material lives, but it requires the symbolic death of their marriage. The decision to accept the offer marks the transition of the marriage from a sacred covenant to a market transaction. The film suggests that once a price is put on intimacy, the intimacy is effectively destroyed, regardless of whether the transaction occurs.
Gage offers the couple $1,000,000 in exchange for one night with Diana. After an agonizing night of deliberation, the couple agrees, believing the money will solve their problems. Emotional and Narrative Fallout indecent proposal -1993-