The acting in Basic Instinct(1992) ranges from average to very good. Michael Douglas perfects a kind of character he played in other films like Fatal Attraction(1987) and Disclosure(1994). Clint Eastwood played a similar character like Det. Curran with better results in Tightrope(1984). George Dzundza plays the only sympathetic character in the entire movie.
The notorious interrogation sequence is the film's sole brilliant moment. Plays on the libido of the male characters in the scene as well as the male viewer in the audience. Sharon Stone makes the scene work with her way of combining intelligence and sexuality. Reaches the point of orgasm for the male viewer once Sharon Stone uncrosses her legs.
Basic Instinct's attempt at the Sadomasochism angle is tame and by the numbers. The S & M angle is poorly executed and the scenes involving S & M are so dull that they make the Marquis de Sade bored to tears. Mario Bava portrayed a more disturbing and shocking sadomasochistic relationship in The Whip & the Body(1964) then what's depicted here. Its interesting that Det. Curran watches Hellraiser(1987), a horror film that includes a similar sadomasochistic structure.
The sex scenes in Basic Instinct(1992) are steaming with sensuality but strangely enough aren't much provocative. They are not daring or envelope pushing to be in the same league as the sex depicted in Last Tango in Paris(1972), The Man who Fell to Earth(1975), In the Realm of the Senses(1976), Crash(1997), Romance(1999), or the controversial Korean film, Lies(1999). The sex here is mainstream fare disguised as NC-17 material. Henry Miller wrote more erotic and envelope pushing material sex in his books then what is present here.
Sharon Stone gives one of her two best acting performances in a motion picture she has starred in. Her other standout performance in a film is on Martin Scorsese's Casino(1995). Sharon Stone in the film is a dead ringer for the character Madeline played by Kim Novak in Vertigo(1958). Sharon Stone plays Catherine Tramell with a cold and intelligent sexual allure.
The ending uses a plot twist that is irritating as well as manipulative. The writer reuses the plot twist of the much better, Jagged Edge(1984). That film uses the final scene plot twist with better results because its not forced on the audience like in Basic Instinct(1992). An ending that fails to satify or surprise in a convincing manner.
Basic Instinct(1992) rips off many basic ideas and themes from Dario Argento's Tenbre(1982). Its take on censorship, media violence, sexual tension, and the soul of the artist isn't as deep or thought provoking as in Tenebre(1982). More annoying and pretentious than Tenebre(1982). Basic Instinct(1992) in an inferior take on Tenebre(1982) that lacks the flamboyant directioral flair of Dario Argento.
Nothing more than a water down reworking of Paul Verhoeven's The Fourth Man(1984). The only difference is the role reversal of the two main characters. Lacks the daring style that made The 4th Man a masterpiece. Basic Instinct and The 4th Man are examples of the differences between filmmaking in Hollywood and filmmaking in Europe.
A film with a mystery that Sherlock Holmes would solve in five seconds is not a very good movie at all. The sex turned rape/sodomy sequence is the only scene that is inspired by disturbing passages found in the works of Henry Miller and the Marquis de Sade. Dorothy Mallone gives a memorable turn as a murderous friend of Catherine Tramell. Sharon Stone dressed for Basic Instinct(1992) in the same order of clothes Kim Novak wore for Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo(1958).
Homage to Vertigo(1958) with the beautiful San Francisco scenery. psychological tension, and erotic obsession. Kim Bassinger was the first actress picked to play the role of Catherine Tramell. An NC-17 feature that doesn't have any of the gutsy quality of other NC-17 movies like Henry & June(1990), Damage(1991), Bad Lieutenant(1992), and Crash(1997). Basic Instinct(1992) is a typical Hollywood film that never is as cleaver as it makes itself to be.
The notorious interrogation sequence is the film's sole brilliant moment. Plays on the libido of the male characters in the scene as well as the male viewer in the audience. Sharon Stone makes the scene work with her way of combining intelligence and sexuality. Reaches the point of orgasm for the male viewer once Sharon Stone uncrosses her legs.
Basic Instinct's attempt at the Sadomasochism angle is tame and by the numbers. The S & M angle is poorly executed and the scenes involving S & M are so dull that they make the Marquis de Sade bored to tears. Mario Bava portrayed a more disturbing and shocking sadomasochistic relationship in The Whip & the Body(1964) then what's depicted here. Its interesting that Det. Curran watches Hellraiser(1987), a horror film that includes a similar sadomasochistic structure.
The sex scenes in Basic Instinct(1992) are steaming with sensuality but strangely enough aren't much provocative. They are not daring or envelope pushing to be in the same league as the sex depicted in Last Tango in Paris(1972), The Man who Fell to Earth(1975), In the Realm of the Senses(1976), Crash(1997), Romance(1999), or the controversial Korean film, Lies(1999). The sex here is mainstream fare disguised as NC-17 material. Henry Miller wrote more erotic and envelope pushing material sex in his books then what is present here.
Sharon Stone gives one of her two best acting performances in a motion picture she has starred in. Her other standout performance in a film is on Martin Scorsese's Casino(1995). Sharon Stone in the film is a dead ringer for the character Madeline played by Kim Novak in Vertigo(1958). Sharon Stone plays Catherine Tramell with a cold and intelligent sexual allure.
The ending uses a plot twist that is irritating as well as manipulative. The writer reuses the plot twist of the much better, Jagged Edge(1984). That film uses the final scene plot twist with better results because its not forced on the audience like in Basic Instinct(1992). An ending that fails to satify or surprise in a convincing manner.
Basic Instinct(1992) rips off many basic ideas and themes from Dario Argento's Tenbre(1982). Its take on censorship, media violence, sexual tension, and the soul of the artist isn't as deep or thought provoking as in Tenebre(1982). More annoying and pretentious than Tenebre(1982). Basic Instinct(1992) in an inferior take on Tenebre(1982) that lacks the flamboyant directioral flair of Dario Argento.
Nothing more than a water down reworking of Paul Verhoeven's The Fourth Man(1984). The only difference is the role reversal of the two main characters. Lacks the daring style that made The 4th Man a masterpiece. Basic Instinct and The 4th Man are examples of the differences between filmmaking in Hollywood and filmmaking in Europe.
A film with a mystery that Sherlock Holmes would solve in five seconds is not a very good movie at all. The sex turned rape/sodomy sequence is the only scene that is inspired by disturbing passages found in the works of Henry Miller and the Marquis de Sade. Dorothy Mallone gives a memorable turn as a murderous friend of Catherine Tramell. Sharon Stone dressed for Basic Instinct(1992) in the same order of clothes Kim Novak wore for Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo(1958).
Homage to Vertigo(1958) with the beautiful San Francisco scenery. psychological tension, and erotic obsession. Kim Bassinger was the first actress picked to play the role of Catherine Tramell. An NC-17 feature that doesn't have any of the gutsy quality of other NC-17 movies like Henry & June(1990), Damage(1991), Bad Lieutenant(1992), and Crash(1997). Basic Instinct(1992) is a typical Hollywood film that never is as cleaver as it makes itself to be.