Tags
1990's, Basic Instinct, Erotic Thriller, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Michael Douglas, Paul Verhoeven, Sharon Stone, Thriller
Film Title
Basic Instinct
Director
Paul Verhoeven
Starring
- Michael Douglas as Detective Nick Curran
- Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell
- George Dzundza as Detective Gus Moran
- Jeanne Tripplehorn as Dr. Beth Garner
Unashamedly in your face in terms of sex and violence, Basic Instinct is probably just remembered for that. But there is a lot more to it than just that, there’s a twisting mystery at the heart of it that compliments the lack of subtlety. Twin that with a sexy breakthrough role from Sharon Stone and Basic Instinct is an engrossing erotic thriller that isn’t afraid to shock or reel you in.
Basic Instinct begins with a retired rock star being brutally murdered with an ice pick by a blonde woman(whose face is obscured) during heavy sex. San Francisco Detective Nick Curran is charged with investigating the gruesome homicide. The main suspect in the case is the beautiful bisexual author Catherine Tramell, who seems to have written a book that mirrors the crime committed. Yet Catherine is not about to confess to anything as she knows how to play significant games with those around her, starting with Nick. Although he may try to distance himself from the gorgeous but potentially lethal Catherine, he can’t help but be drawn in by her siren call. Soon enough, he has entered a torrid affair with Catherine in which she takes almost complete charge. Nick himself has his own demons to contend with as his past of drink and booze is still being watched over by Internal Affairs. As more murders are committed and more mystery becomes known, can Nick really afford to be pursuing the icy Catherine? Is this seductive woman really someone who could kill another? Or is someone setting her up out of spite? Whatever the case, it’s not going to be the easiest for Nick to figure out as the relationship with Catherine intensifies.
Paul Verhoeven displays an I don’t give a damn feeling to his direction that allows the erotic and often surprising parts of the story to be seen in full lurid glory. Yet for all the excess, he knows how to keep the mystery angle of the film ticking over with aplomb. Verhoeven brings a European sensibility to Basic Instinct, which is no doubt what made it so controversial on release because of the open attitude to sex and graphic violence. The script, while ludicrous in many ways, excellently combines a perverse game of sexual cat and mouse with a murder mystery that does have you wanting to know more. The characters are a pretty despicable bunch, yet this helps Basic Instinct as no one is above sleazy tactics or potentially fatal behaviour. The sexuality aspect of the film is very present throughout a lot of the exercise and much of it is pretty jaw-dropping. Everyone of course remembers the interrogation scene where Catherine deliciously toys with a room full of officers by revealing that she isn’t wearing any underwear. The same can be said of the sex scenes which are carnal to say the least and not exactly being prudish. Yet to just remember these parts of the film makes people forget that beneath the somewhat trashy surface, a twisting thriller is taking hold in a stylish manner very much like the main female character. That’s what makes Basic Instinct so deceptive, you think it is just something of a skin flick but in actual fact a dark tale is unraveling. The moody and sultry cinematography and an absolutely exceptional score from Jerry Goldsmith going a long way in presenting a tantalizing mystery with erotic frisson.
Michael Douglas stars as the troubled Nick, whose life becomes more tangled once he’s become besotted by the alluring Catherine. It helps that the character isn’t just some innocent, wide-eyed cop. Instead he’s something of a louse with a short temper. Douglas knows to how to play this kind of part by imbuing some desperation in there as Nick starts to think with another part of his anatomy other than his head. Yet the person you will most remember from Basic Instinct is of course Sharon Stone. As the icy, cool and predatory Catherine, Stone has a ball showing the character’s razor-sharp intellect and devastating sensuality. Sex is Catherine’s biggest weapon through the story, yet is this smart woman really capable of murder? It would appear that she has the intelligence for it, but Stone gleefully makes Catherine a slinky femme fatale whose motives and actions are never clear but whose game playing is deliciously executed on the men around her. It’s a star making role that catapulted Sharon Stone to stardom and what a role it is. Aggressively sexy yet coolly collected, Catherine Tramell emerges as a femme fatale of the highest order. In the part of the only redeemable character of Nick’s detective partner, George Dzundza has the appropriate wise-cracking personality for it and brings some comic relief. Excellently rounding out the cast is Jeanne Tripplehorn as the psychologist who has a relationship that isn’t exactly professional with patient Nick.
An often shocking yet engaging thriller coloured with twisted sexuality and a good few red herrings, Basic Instinct is a film that delivers a lot more than just sex and violence. Beneath that the film is a cracking thriller in the best overheated way.
thoughtsallsorts said:
I remember this being released at the cinema and the big hype by all the kids at school as to who had managed to get in and who didn’t.
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vinnieh said:
I wasn’t even born when this film came out. But from doing my research, this film was a hot topic upon release.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
You have no idea! It was such a big deal. I remember there being so many controls set up at the cinema. Ha ha. How things have changed.
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vinnieh said:
It would have been interesting to see that.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m still traumatized by the bunny scene!😟
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vinnieh said:
Kim, I think you’re thinking of Fatal Attraction with the bunny scene.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh Good Grief! I just realized that but couldn’t change my comment! Sorry. I just woke up and haven’t had my daily infusion of coffee yet!😕
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vinnieh said:
No need to apologise, it happens to us all. And to be fair both movies star Michael Douglas involved with dangerous women.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think that’s where my confusion came in. I did like this movie. It’s not in my top ten of favorite movies of all time, but I did think it was an exciting thriller. Fab review as always my friend!😗
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vinnieh said:
I was surprised how well it still stands up. Yes it is an outrageous movie filled with sex, but the mystery aspect is just as good.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Absolutely!
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vinnieh said:
And Sharon Stone is a marvellous femme fatale.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I agree! And the chemistry between her and Michael Douglas was sizzling!
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vinnieh said:
They were hot, hot, hot! And those sex scenes sizzled with ferocity.
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beetleypete said:
Not born! I am ordering my coffin now…
This was a very big deal at the time. Lesbian sex, straight sex, the leg-crossing scene, all played up the hype, or the outrage. Stone took the part and ran with it; always great to watch on screen, and acting the character perfectly. It still holds up very well today, and that says a lot for the pace and the twists.
Cheers mate. Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I was born a few years after Pete. It is a very scandalous movie which is not hard to see why it was so talked about and successful. Sharon Stone made for a sexy femme fatale who was intelligent and could play Douglas like a puppet. Very sexy. And it is still a good thriller, though everyone remembers the erotic parts more.
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Bluebird4UDaily said:
Pete you better order two… LOL… This was a very exciting movie and after the first viewing of it I only closed my eyes twice, but on further viewings, yes there were more, I kept both eyes open the whole time.. wink.. grinning… She was fabulous in this as was Douglas.. I remember the driving scene down the mountain and Douglas looking at her sitting in the back seat with those eyes trained on him.. Great review, vinnieh.. Have a peaceful Sunday and take care, Laura
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vinnieh said:
Haha, you gotta keep your eyes open for the steamy scenes. That look she gives him in the car, she had him hook, line and sinker for that moment.
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Rincewind said:
I remembered watching this at the cinema, yeah yeah I’m old 😆 anyhoo. It was a good mystery movie which definitely was helped with Sharon Stone, she is brilliant in this movie. I do have to re watch since I can’t remember whodunit. Damn yr legs Sharon..
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vinnieh said:
Sharon Stone was perfect casting for this movie. She was sexy yet always one step ahead of everyone.
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Rincewind said:
Absolutely. She was great as the ice cold queen.
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vinnieh said:
Icy was the order of the day.
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fragglerocking said:
Fab review V-man, I think everyone and his dog saw this after all the hype, and it really was a stylish thriller under all the bonking.
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vinnieh said:
It had a very stylish look to it. And yes in between the raunchy moments, the mystery was gripping.
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ninvoid99 said:
Ah, one of the first erotic mainstream films that I had seen as a teenager. I know everyone was into Sharon Stone but I was more into Jeanne Tripplehorn.
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vinnieh said:
I think both ladies are beautiful and talented.
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ninvoid99 said:
Jeanne Tripplehorn>>>>>>>>>>>>Sharon Stone. Sharon is just a tad crazy to me.
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vinnieh said:
Do you mean the character in the film or Miss Stone herself?
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ninvoid99 said:
Miss Stone. She sometimes comes across as mean and smug at times. Tripplehorn, from other things and interviews I’ve seen from her, seems more humble.
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alexraphael said:
Must have been a funny experience to watch it at the cinema. When I saw it I knew a few of the shocking moments. And it still shocked me haha.
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vinnieh said:
I too was aware of the controversial moments, yet still found myself gasping.
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keepsmealive said:
It’s been ages since I saw this film, you’ve made me want to see it again!
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vinnieh said:
It will steam up your evening.
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keepsmealive said:
Ain’t that every evening? Haha
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vinnieh said:
Depends who you ask.
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John Charet said:
Great post 🙂 This is a very good Paul Verhoeven film, but you might be surprised to learn that between the two Joe Esztherhaus penned Paul Verhoeven films (this and Showgirls), I actually feel that Showgirls is the superior film (it is a great film) and in my personal opinion, ranks as one of the most misunderstood films of the 20th century. Nevertheless, Basic Instinct is a very good film and I agree with every positive thing you say about it. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I can’t say I’ve seen Showgirls, though I am aware of the film.
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Richard said:
Great post!
I remember watching and getting completely engrossed in this film. Stone and Douglas had great chemistry on screen, their scenes together always got my hairs to stand on end.
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vinnieh said:
They shared a dangerous and lustful chemistry. It made those sex scenes pretty intense.
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Lloyd Marken said:
I came at this a little like you, watching it years after release. I was 12 when it came out and so saw a lot of the reaction to it. I saw it when I was 21 and found actually the sexiest scene for me was the sex scene with Jeanne Tripplehorn. I always thought of it as rather superficial but I think there is a haunting quality to it because of what is left unrevealed. And when I studied it at uni, there was a lot of talk of gender roles in the film. Note some of the tomboy childlike symbolism for Tripplehorn and her’s character’s fate?
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vinnieh said:
Not many people mention Tripplehorn in the scheme of this film, so interesting to see you bring her up. I can understand why you looked at this film for gender studies, as it does toy with them. Nice to hear from you Lloyd.
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