Saturday, April 27, 2019

Basic Instinct (1992): Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone


     Although infamous for it's explicit scenes, Basic Instinct (1992) has other powerful aspects that carry the film far above and beyond the hype. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas, the film has many ties to film noir, the most obvious being the flawed detective and the seductive femme fatale. It is a memorable film and still seems current 20 years later.
     A retired Rock and Roll star is found murdered, stabbed with an ice pick during sex. Detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) and his partner are on the case. The Rocker's girlfriend is the natural suspect, having been the last one seen with him. Following the address, Nick finds Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), a wealthy heiress and author... 

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

     Tramell's last novel being about a retired Rock and Roll star being murdered with an ice pick in bed further implicates her, but also creates an alibi. Confusion as to whether  or not she committed the crime ensues... 

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

     Meanwhile she is writing a new book about a detective and begins playing mind games with Nick...

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

      Forced to play along and concede to her seductions and advances, Nick engages in a wild affair with Catherine, despite the fact that people around him are turning up dead...

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

     Catherine challenges him emotionally, physically and professionally... Is Catherine a murderer? Or just a sex-crazed woman out to mess with men's heads?

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Sharon Stone

Basic Instinct. 1992: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone