Basic Instinct

''Basic Instinct'' is a 1992 neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas. The film follows San Francisco police detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas), who is investigating the brutal murder of a wealthy rock star. During the investigation, Curran becomes involved in a torrid and intense relationship with the prime suspect, Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), an enigmatic writer.

Eszterhas developed the script in the 1980s. It became a subject of a bidding war until Carolco Pictures acquired the rights to the film. From there, Verhoeven signed on to direct and Douglas and Stone joined the project, after many actresses were considered for the role of Tramell. Before its release, ''Basic Instinct'' generated controversy due to its overt sexuality and violence, including a rape scene. Gay rights activists criticized the film's depiction of homosexual relationships and the portrayal of a bisexual woman as a murderous psychopath. Most infamously, in one scene, Stone's vulva was filmed as she crossed her legs, which she claimed was done without her knowledge, a claim denied by the director.

''Basic Instinct'' premiered in Los Angeles on March 18, 1992, and was released in the United States by TriStar Pictures on March 20, 1992. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances of its cast, original score and editing, but criticized its writing and character development. Despite these reviews and public protest, ''Basic Instinct'' was a box office success, grossing $352 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1992 behind Disney's '' Aladdin'', '' The Bodyguard'' and '' Home Alone 2: Lost in New York''. Several versions of the film have been released on videocassette, DVD and Blu-ray including a director's cut with extended footage previously unseen in North American cinemas.

The film was later recognized for its groundbreaking depictions of sexuality in mainstream Hollywood cinema, and was described by one scholar as "a neo- film noir masterpiece that plays with, and transgresses, the narrative rules of film noir." A sequel released 14 years later, ''Basic Instinct 2'', also starred Stone and was made without Verhoeven's involvement; the sequel received negative reviews and was relatively unsuccessful.

Plot

In San Francisco, homicide detective Nick Curran investigates the murder of retired rock star Johnny Boz, who has been stabbed to death with an ice pick during sex with a mysterious blonde woman. Nick's only suspect is Boz's girlfriend, crime novelist Catherine Tramell, who has written a novel that mirrors the crime. It is concluded that either Catherine is the murderer or someone is attempting to frame her. Catherine is uncooperative and taunting during the investigation, smoking and exposing herself during her interrogation. She passes a lie detector test and is released. Nick discovers Catherine has a history of befriending murderers, including her girlfriend Roxy, who impulsively killed her two younger brothers when she was 16 years of age, and Hazel Dobkins, who killed her husband and children for no apparent reason.

Nick, who accidentally shot two tourists while high on cocaine during an undercover assignment, attends counseling sessions with police psychologist Dr. Beth Garner, with whom he has an on-and-off affair. Nick discovers that Catherine is basing the protagonist of her latest book on him, wherein his character is murdered after falling for the wrong woman. Nick suspects that Catherine has bribed Lt. Marty Nielsen of Internal Affairs for information from Nick's psychiatric file and that Beth had previously given it to Nielsen after he threatened to recommend Nick's termination. Nick assaults Nielsen in his office, and later becomes a prime suspect when Nielsen is killed. Nick suspects Catherine, and when his behavior deteriorates, he is put on leave.

Nick and Catherine begin a torrid affair with the air of a cat-and-mouse game. Nick arrives at a club and witnesses Catherine doing cocaine with Roxy and another man. Nick and Catherine dance and make out, and are later observed by Roxy, having violent sex in Catherine's bed. Catherine ties Nick to the headboard with a white silk scarf, just as Boz was tied by the mystery blonde, but does not kill him. Roxy, jealous of Nick, attempts to run him over with Catherine's car, but dies when the car crashes. Catherine grieves over Roxy's death and tells Nick about a previous lesbian encounter at college that went awry. She claims that the girl became obsessed with her, causing Nick to believe that Catherine may not have killed Boz. Nick identifies the girl as Beth, who acknowledges the encounter, but she claims it was Catherine who became obsessed. Additionally, Nick discovers that a college professor of Beth and Catherine's was also killed with an ice pick in an unsolved homicide, and that the events inspired one of Catherine's early novels.

Nick comes across the final pages of Catherine's book in which the fictional detective finds his partner's body in an elevator. Catherine then breaks off their affair, causing Nick to become upset and suspicious. Nick later meets his partner Gus Moran, who has arranged to meet with Catherine's college roommate at an office building, hoping to reveal what really went on between Catherine and Beth. As Nick waits in the car, Gus is stabbed to death with an ice pick in the elevator. Recalling the last pages of Catherine's book, Nick runs into the building, only to find Gus' body in a manner similar to the scene described. Beth unexpectedly arrives and explains that she received a message to meet Gus. Nick suspects Beth has murdered Gus and, believing that she is reaching for a gun, shoots her, but discovers that Beth was only fiddling with an ornament on her key chain.

Evidence collected at the scene and in Beth's apartment implicates her as the killer of Boz, Nielsen, Moran and her own husband, along with collections of photos and newspaper clippings of Catherine that imply an obsession with her. Nick is left confused and dejected. He returns to his apartment where Catherine meets him. She explains her reluctance to commit to him, as, people she cares about keep dying; but then, the two have sex. As they discuss their future, an ice pick is revealed to be under the bed.

Cast

* Michael Douglas as Detective Nick Curran
* Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell
* George Dzundza as Detective Gus Moran
* Jeanne Tripplehorn as Dr. Beth Garner
* Denis Arndt as Lieutenant Phillip Walker
* Leilani Sarelle as Roxanne "Roxy" Hardy
* Bruce A. Young as Andrews
* Chelcie Ross as Captain Talcott
* Dorothy Malone as Hazel Dobkins
* Wayne Knight as John Correli
* Daniel von Bargen as Lieutenant Marty Nielsen
* Stephen Tobolowsky as Dr. Lamott
* Benjamin Mouton as Harrigan
* Jack McGee as Sheriff
* Bill Cable as Johnny Boz
* James Rebhorn as Dr. McElwaine

Production

The screenplay, written in the 1980s, prompted a bidding war until it was purchased by Carolco Pictures for US$3 million. Eszterhas, who had been the creative source for several other blockbusters, including ''Flashdance'' (1983) and '' Jagged Edge'' (1985), wrote the film in 13 days. Verhoeven had suggested changes to the script that Eszterhas disagreed with, one of which included a lesbian sex scene that Eszterhas called "exploitative." With Verhoeven unwilling to budge, Eszterhas and producer Irwin Winkler left the production.

Gary Goldman was subsequently hired to do four different re-writes of the script, at the advice of Verhoeven. After the fourth re-write, Verhoeven admitted his proposals were "undramatic" and "really stupid". By the fifth draft, the script had reverted to Eszterhas' original, with minor visual and dialogue changes. Joe Eszterhas received sole writing credit for the film.

In preparation for the car chase scene, Douglas drove up the steps on Kearny Street in San Francisco for four nights by himself. Douglas recommended Kim Basinger for the role of Catherine Tramell, but Basinger declined. He also proposed Julia Roberts, Greta Scacchi and Meg Ryan, but they also turned down the role, as did Michelle Pfeiffer, Geena Davis, Kathleen Turner, Kelly Lynch, Ellen Barkin and Mariel Hemingway. Verhoeven considered Demi Moore. Stone, who was eventually selected for the role, was a relative unknown until the success of this film, but had previously worked with Verhoeven on ''Total Recall''. Verhoeven said her quick change of emotion before her character was killed in ''Total Recall'' prompted him to select her for the part. "That transition for me was so notable. The evil in her eyes changes into the love of her life in a couple seconds." She was paid $500,000, a low sum relative to the film's production budget. Michael Douglas was determined to have another A-list actress starring in the movie with him; worried to take the risk on his own, he was quoted as saying "I need someone to share the risks of this movie. ..I don't want to be up there all by myself. There's going to be a lot of shit flying around."

Filming in San Francisco was attended by gay and lesbian rights activists and demonstrators, and San Francisco Police Department riot police were present at every location daily to deal with the crowds. Protesters outside of filming locations held signs that said "Honk if you love the 49ers" and "Honk if you love men". The protesters used lasers and whistles to interfere with the filming. Even though the police were on set and a restraining order was in place, producer Alan Marshall individually picked out each protester he wanted arrested. This disrupted production, leading to a citizen's arrest of Marshall, which didn't lead to anything with the local police department.

In one scene, Stone's vulva was filmed as she crossed her legs. Stone later said she believed the character's not wearing underwear would only be alluded to and not shown. She said she had been wearing white knickers until Verhoeven said they reflected light on the camera lens and asked her to take them off, assuring her that only shadow would be visible. Stone said that it was not until she saw the film in a screening room with a test audience that she became aware of it, leading her to slap Verhoeven in the face and leave the screening. However, Verhoeven denied her claim, and said she was fully aware in advance that her vulva would be filmed.

Jeanne Tripplehorn maintains that the notorious scene in which her character and Douglas' had brutal, bruising sex was somewhat "lighter" when described to her by Verhoeven before shooting.

Music

Soundtrack

The film score to ''Basic Instinct'' was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, and garnered him nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Goldsmith said, "''Basic Instinct'' was probably the most difficult I've ever done. It's a very convoluted story with very unorthodox characters. It's a murder mystery, but it isn't really a murder mystery. The director, Paul Verhoeven, had a very clear idea of how the woman should be, and I had a hard time getting it. Because of Paul pushing me, I think it's one of the best scores I've ever written. It was a true collaboration."

Apart from the score, professionally released music did not play a major part in the film. The scene in which source music plays a prominent role occurs during the club scene; Curran, Tramell and Roxy are seen at Downtown San Francisco. It features "Blue" by Chicago house music performer LaTour and "Rave the Rhythm" by the group Channel X. It also features "Movin' on Up" by Jeff Barry and Ja'Net DuBois. Chris Rea's " Looking for the Summer" is heard during the scene between Douglas and his partner at Mac's Diner.

The soundtrack was released on March 17, 1992. A considerably expanded release of Goldsmith's score, featuring previously omitted sections and alternative compositions of certain elements, was issued by Prometheus Records in 2004.

Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
# "Main Title (Theme from ''Basic Instinct'')" – 2:13
# "Crossed Legs" – 4:49
# "Night Life" – 6:03
# "Kitchen Help" – 3:58
# "Pillow Talk" – 4:59
# "Morning After" – 2:29
# "The Games Are Over" – 5:53
# "Catherine's Sorrow" – 2:41
# "Roxy Loses" – 3:37
# "An Unending Story" – 7:56

The Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
# "Main Title" – 2:13
# "First Victim" – 1:39
# "Catherine & Roxy" – 5:14
# "Shadows" – 0:41
# "Profile" – 0:49
# "Don't Smoke" – 2:26
# "Crossed Legs" – 4:49
# "Beth & Nick" – 2:21
# "Night Life" – 6:03
# "Home Visit" – 1:13
# "Your Wife Knew" – 1:44
# "Untitled" – 0:52
# "That's Real Music" – 0:27
# "One Shot" – 1:27
# "Kitchen Help" – 3:58
# "Pillow Talk" – 4:59
# "Morning After" – 2:29
# "Roxy Loses" – 3:37
# "Catherine's Sorrow" – 2:41
# "Wrong Name" – 2:22
# "She's Really Sick" – 1:31
# "It Won't Sell" – 1:02
# "Games Are Over" – 5:53
# "Evidence" – 1:39
# "Unending Story / End Credits" – 9:23
# "First Victim" (alternate version) – 1:34

Release

Theatrical

The film was entered into the 1992 Cannes Film Festival.

MPAA rating

''Basic Instinct'' is rated R for "strong violence and sensuality, and for drug use and language". It was initially given a commercially restrictive NC-17 rating by the MPAA for "graphic depictions of extremely explicit violence, sexual content and strong language", but under pressure from TriStar and Carolco, Verhoeven cut 35 to 40 seconds to gain an R rating. Verhoeven described the changes in a March 1992 article in ''The New York Times'':
The film was subsequently re-released in its uncut format on video and later on DVD.

Home media

Following the theatrical version, the film was first released in its uncut format in an unrated version onto video in 1992, running at 129 minutes. This was followed by a DVD release in 1997, in a "bare bones" format that contained the R-rated version. A 'collector's edition' was released on DVD in 2001, containing the uncut version of the film with a commentary by Camille Paglia and a small ice pick (the villain's weapon of choice). This version of the film, running 127 minutes, was re-released twice: in 2003 and 2006.

In March 2006, the unrated version (also known as the 'director's cut') was re-released on DVD and labeled as the 'ultimate edition'. In 2007, the film was released on Blu-ray with the 'director's cut' label.

The film was cut by 35 to 40 seconds to avoid an NC-17 rating on its theatrical release in 1992, with some violence and sexually explicit content removed. The missing or censored material (later released on video and DVD unrated as the director's cut) included:
* The murder of Johnny Boz in the opening scene. In the director's cut, the killer is seen stabbing him in his neck, in the chest and through his nose. In addition, the killer is still having violent sex with him while stabbing him at the same time.
* The scene where Nick has sex with Beth is cut in the US theatrical version, as he is seen ripping off her clothes and forcing her over the couch, before a cut to the two of them lying on the floor. In the uncut version they are seen having rougher sex.
* The scene where Nick and Tramell have sex after going to the club is longer and much more explicit in the uncut version.

The film was released in the UK by StudioCanal on restored 4K Ultra HD 'collector's edition', a remastered Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on June 14, 2021. The film was released in Australia on July 7 and New Zealand on July 14, 2021. Restoration was done during 2019 and 2020 from the original 35MM negative and supervised by the director. A new special feature includes a documentary titled "Basic Instinct, Sex, Death & Stone".

Reception

Box office

''Basic Instinct'' opened in theaters in the United States and Canada on March 20, 1992 and was one of the highest-grossing films of 1992. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $15 million opening at number one at the US box office. It returned to number one in its fifth week where it remained for four weeks. It went on to gross $117.7 million in the United States and Canada and was the highest-grossing film for the calendar year worldwide grossing $352,927,224, which eventually ranked the fourth-highest-grossing film released in 1992. It had a record opening in Italy with a gross of $5.44 million for the week from 155 screens and was number one for four weeks. It was the highest-grossing film for the year in Italy with a gross of $20 million. It was the highest-grossing film in Spain of all time with a gross of $21.6 million. In the United Kingdom, it was number one for three weeks and was the highest-grossing film for the year in the UK with a gross of £15.5 million. It was also number one for the year in France ($27 million), Germany (4.5 million admissions), South Africa ($3 million), Iceland and Ireland. In Australia, it was number one for three weeks and the second-highest-grossing film for the year with a gross of A$13.1 million.

Critical response

''Basic Instinct''s critical reaction was mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 57% based on 74 reviews, with an average rating of 6.20/10 and the consensus that "Unevenly echoing the work of Alfred Hitchcock, ''Basic Instinct'' contains a star-making performance from Sharon Stone, but is ultimately undone by its problematic, overly lurid plot." On Metacritic the film holds a score of 41 based on 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.

Janet Maslin of ''The New York Times'' praised the film, saying "''Basic Instinct'' transfers Mr. Verhoeven's flair for action-oriented material to the realm of Hitchcockian intrigue, and the results are viscerally effective even when they don't make sense." Peter Travers of ''Rolling Stone'' also praised the film, saying it was a guilty pleasure film; he also expressed admiration for Verhoeven's direction, saying " iscinematic wet dream delivers the goods, especially when Sharon Stone struts on with enough come-on carnality to singe the screen," and praised Stone's performance: "Stone, a former model, is a knockout; she even got a rise out of Ah-nold in Verhoeven's '' Total Recall''. But being the bright spot in too many dull movies ('' He Said, She Said''; ''Irreconcilable Differences'') stalled her career. Though ''Basic Instinct'' establishes Stone as a bombshell for the Nineties, it also shows she can nail a laugh or shade an emotion with equal aplomb."

Australian critic Shannon J. Harvey of the '' Sunday Times'' calling it one of the "1990s finest productions, doing more for female empowerment than any feminist rally. Stone—in her star-making performance—is as hot and sexy as she is ice-pick cold."

The film had many detractors. Roger Ebert of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' awarded it two out of four stars, saying the film was well crafted but died down in the last half-hour: "The film is like a crossword puzzle. It keeps your interest until you solve it. Then it's just a worthless scrap with the spaces filled in." Dave Kehr of the ''Chicago Tribune'' also gave a negative review, calling it psychologically empty: "Verhoeven does not explore the dark side, but merely exploits it, and that makes all the difference in the world."

Controversy

The film generated controversy due to its graphic sexuality and violence, including the truncated rape scene. Gay rights activists protested during filming, saying it followed a pattern of negative depictions of homosexuals in film. Members of the lesbian and bisexual activist group LABIA protested against the film on its opening night. Others also picketed theatres to dissuade people from attending screenings, carrying signs saying "Kiss My Ice Pick", "Hollywood Promotes Anti-Gay Violence" and "Catherine Did It!"/"Save Your Money—The Bisexual Did It". Verhoeven himself defended the groups' right to protest, but criticized the disruptions they caused, saying "Fascism is not in raising your voice; the fascism is in not accepting the no."

Film critic Roger Ebert mentioned the controversy in his review, saying "As for the allegedly offensive homosexual characters: The movie's protesters might take note of the fact that this film's heterosexuals, starting with Douglas, are equally offensive. Still, there is a point to be made about Hollywood's unremitting insistence on typecasting homosexuals—particularly lesbians—as twisted and evil." Camille Paglia denounced gay activist and feminist protests against ''Basic Instinct'', and called Sharon Stone's performance "one of the great performances by a woman in screen history", praising her character as "a great vamp figure, like Mona Lisa herself, like a pagan goddess".

The film was also criticized for glamorizing cigarette smoking. Screenwriter Joe Eszterhas was later diagnosed with throat cancer and publicly apologized for glamorizing smoking in his films.

Since the release of the film, Stone alleged multiple times that a scene in which her vulva was exposed as she crossed her legs was filmed without her knowledge."A Conversation with Sharon Stone" from the ''Basic Instinct'': Ultimate Edition DVD (Lions Gate Home Entertainment, 2006). In her ''Inside the Actors Studio'' interview in 1998, Stone said of the experience that, while she was initially angry, she realized the director's decision was the right one, saying "And I thought about it for a few days and I knew in my heart, he was right. I hated that it existed, I hated it more than he stole it from me instead of allowing me to choose. But he was right." In 2021, Stone alleged once again in her memoir that she was misled by Verhoeven with regard to the circumstance of the filming of the scene even though she ultimately did not seek an injunction against it. Verhoeven responded that it was "impossible" and "she knew exactly what we were doing." However, despite having a "radically different" memory about the particular scene, he praised Stone's performance and said they're on good terms.

During the trial of the murder of Jun Lin, the prosecution stated that Luka Magnotta was inspired by the film and Stone's character, Catherine Tramell.

Awards and nominations

See also

* '' Fatal Attraction'', a 1987 film exploring similar themes
* ''Fatal Instinct'', a 1993 film parody

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Basic Instinct
1992 films
1992 LGBT-related films
1992 crime thriller films
1990s American films
1990s English-language films
1990s erotic thriller films
1990s feminist films
1990s mystery thriller films
1990s psychological thriller films
American crime thriller films
American erotic thriller films
American feminist films
American LGBT-related films
American mystery thriller films
American neo-noir films
American police detective films
American psychological thriller films
British crime thriller films
British erotic thriller films
British feminist films
British LGBT-related films
British mystery thriller films
British neo-noir films
British psychological thriller films
Carolco Pictures films
English-language French films
Erotic mystery films
Female bisexuality in film
Films about murderers
Films about narcissism
Films about rape
Films about sexuality
Films about writers
Films directed by Paul Verhoeven
Films scored by Jerry Goldsmith
Films set in San Francisco
Films shot in San Francisco
Films with screenplays by Joe Eszterhas
French crime thriller films
French erotic thriller films
French feminist films
French LGBT-related films
French mystery thriller films
French neo-noir films
French psychological thriller films
LGBT-related controversies in film
LGBT-related thriller films
Film controversies
Obscenity controversies in film
Rating controversies in film
StudioCanal films
TriStar Pictures films
1990s British films
1990s French films