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Carolco Pictures
Le Studio Canal+
Basic Instinct Collection
A brutal murder. A brilliant killer. A cop who can't resist the danger.
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.
John Chard
Jan 2, 2019 · via TMDB
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
talisencrw
Jan 15, 2016 · via TMDB
Controversy aside, in regards both to Sharon Stone's quintessentially-provocative noirish femme fatale (talk about a queen bee or alpha female!) and the backlash that the film portrayed lesbians as crazed psychos, Verhoeven both played a striking tribute to Sir Alfred Hitchcock, particularly San Francisco's based Vertigo and in use of the blonde bombshell, and simply continued his style of storytelling that had become his trademark in his pre-Hollywood, formative days in the Netherlands. Though it's not mentioned in the interviews of either star or director, the wonderful car chase brought to mind that 'other' car chase Frisco Bay movie, 'Bullitt'. But given the remarkable landscape of the area, why not? One would be a fool not to push the stylistic envelope as far as the censors will allow. A film that would have made The Master of Suspense proud, methinks, and one that he himself perhaps would have done, had Joe Eszterhas' very fun script been around, during, say, the time of 'Frenzy', when Hitchcock was at his cheekiest. A fantastic date movie too, by the way...
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Michael Douglas
Detective Nick Curran
Sharon Stone
Catherine Tramell
George Dzundza
Gus
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
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Freda Foh Shen
Berkeley Registrar
James Rebhorn
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David Wells
Polygraph Examiner
Bradford English
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Adilah Barnes
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Juanita Jennings
Receptionist
Michael David Lally
Detective
Peter Appel
Detective
Eric Poppick
Coroner's Guy
Kayla Blake
Roxy's Friend
Anne Lockhart
Disco Patron (uncredited)
Pui Fan Lee
Mrs. Rollins (uncredited)
Jan de Bont
Director of Photography
Ellen Mirojnick
Costume Design
Rob Bottin
Makeup Effects Designer
Mario Kassar
Presenter
John Frazier
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John Frazier
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Ron Roggé
Stand In
Charlie Picerni
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Donna Evans
Stunt Double
Michael Runyard
Stunt Double
Sandy Berumen
Stunt Double
Gary Epper
Stunts
Manny Perry
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Marian Green
Stunts
Paul Verhoeven
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Louis D'Esposito
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Frank J. Urioste
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Louis D'Esposito
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Mario Kassar
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Alan Marshall
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Alexander Courage
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Jerry Goldsmith
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Ron Bartlett
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Stephen Hunter Flick
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Joe Eszterhas
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Mar 18, 1992
Culver City, California
Mar 20, 1992
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Stripper Wives
1999
Sally's Beauty Spot
1990
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
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Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
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1981 · 11 wins
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