Thriller
Mystery
Catherine, a novelist with an insatiable sexual appetite, becomes a prime suspect when her boyfriend is brutally murdered -- a crime she had described in her latest story.
Directors
Michael Douglas
Detective Nick Curran
Sharon Stone
Catherine Tramell
Jeanne Tripplehorn
Dr. Beth Garner
Denis Arndt
Lieutenant Walker
Leilani Sarelle
Roxy
Bruce A. Young
Andrews
Chelcie Ross
Captain Talcott
Dorothy Malone
Hazel Dobkins
Wayne Knight
John Correli
Daniel von Bargen
Lieutenant Nilsen
Stephen Tobolowsky
Dr. Lamott
Benjamin Mouton
Harrigan
Jack McGee
Sheriff
Bill Cable
Johnny Boz
Stephen Rowe
Internal Affairs Investigator
Mitch Pileggi
Internal Affairs Investigator
Mary Pat Gleason
Juvenile Officer
Directors
User reviews2
Review
Featured review
I'd have to be pretty stupid to write a book about killing and then kill him the way I described in my book. I'd be announcing myself as the killer. I'm not stupid.
Basic Instinct is directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhaz. It stars Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Denis Arndt and Leilani Sarelle. Music is scored by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by Jan de Bont.
Nick Curran (Douglas) of the SFPD is strung out and under investigation by Internal Affairs, last thing he needs is to be drawn into a dangerous relationship with a sex crazed blonde who may be a murderess...
Time hasn't been kind to Verhoeven's soft-core porn thriller, where once was shock and awe killings (the film opening with a brutal mini ice-pick murder), steamy love scenes and a famed and controversial crotch shot, now is ludicrous orgasms, iffy effects and Michael Douglas' unappetising ass! Hell there was even protests during the film's initial theatre run as the gay community went up in arms about the portrayal of bisexuals possibly being mad murderers?
Yet for all of its taming over the years, Basic Instinct can at least now been seen as the hugely efficient mystery thriller that it is, one that is propelled by some very good performances by the principal actors. The strength in the story is not in the sex or blood, but in the character arcs of Nick Curran and Catherine Tramell (Stone). Curran is a man perched on the edge of doom who is controlled totally by the women around him. He is by definition a quintessential film noir protagonist, in so deep he ultimately will be resigned to his fate. Catharine Tramell is a ultimate femme fatale, beautiful and seductive, she's always in control, leading all male characters where she wants them to go. There's a delicious kink to the narrative, with Verhoeven gleefully pulling the strings, a smirk no doubt etched onto his face.
This is very good story telling, with a plot of substantial twists and turns. True, it does carry some soft-core baggage that can steer the restless away from the character strengths within, but for the neo-noir crowd there is much to enjoy here. 7.5/10
John Chard02 Jan, 2019
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Box office
Budget
$49,000,000Gross worldwide
$352,927,224More to explore
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