Basic Instinct

Paul Verhoeven, USA, 1992, 122 minutes

It must be hot in San Francisco, or 'Frisco as I believe it is called. That probably explains why Catherine Trammell, the knee-tremblingly beautiful ice-maiden thriller writer and gory murder suspect makes a habit of not wearing any underwear beneath her slinky body-hugging outfits. And it could also explain why things get so sweaty when nothing at all is hugging her body except possibly Michael Douglas.

Michael Douglas plays a 'Frisco cop called Nick Curran. Mr. Curran is not a very well balanced or relaxed guy. Which is why he is seeing a pyschiatrist. (A lady called Dr. Beth Garner whom he used to be in love with but now he just fucks). But back to Ms. Trammell, played by Sharon Stone (who I think was Arnie's wife in Total Recall which, like this film, was directed by Paul Verhoeven). Drugs, sex, rock 'n' roll, beautiful blondes and ice picks - this super-glamorous movie has got them all. Incidentally I thought it was a sign of the inflationary times that to indicate Ms. Trammell's fantastic wealth Joe Fsterhaus' $3 million script describes her not merely as being a millionairess but that she possessed a fortune of over $100 mlllion. Anyway, the ice pick ends up embedded in the rock 'n' roll singer after he has had some drugs and sex and the beautiful blonde is suspected. Mr Curran with staggering devotion to duty gets to know the suspect extremely intimately. Indeed, when asked whether having a naked Michael Douglas on top of her or underneath her or whatever was a fun experience Ms. Stone said, "Not really, his stubble scratched my thighs". Dans autres mots, this film is quite sexy.

Catherine Trammell enjoyed exploring women's bodies as well. I mention this because her not particularly convincing bisexuality upset a lot of people in America especially homosexual ones. Personally I didn't think it was particularly homophobic although it was quite offensive in places. However, the plot twists and turns like a sexy sports car and Fsterhaus teases the audience mercilessly. Oh yes, there are also lots of sexy sports cars.

Review by Michael Morrison
Taken from EUFS Programme 1992-93