Basic Instinct

A police detective is in charge of the investigation of a brutal murder, in which a beautiful and seductive woman could be involved.

When a film is parodied as much as this one has been over the years, it can sometimes lessen any impact that it once had. Basic Instinct is not affected in the least by all the fun that's been poked at it, still retaining the intrigue and power that made it such a success upon its release.

The twists and turns, mind games and misdirection are what really make this movie such a classic. There are few femme fatales as callous as Sharon Stone's Catherine Tramell and she plays the part with a chillingly cold precision. The film draws on a number of pictures that have gone before it for inspiration, but these aspects always feel like respectful homage, rather than wilful thievery. It's this combination that lends the plot a sense of timelessness, though the same can't necessarily be said for the style in which the material is approached. Having said that, there's surprisingly little in the way of content that feels painfully dated, which can sometimes be jarring in other flicks of the time.

The original script apparently called for a much younger protagonist, but Douglas is not held back in the least by his advancing years (pushing fifty at the time of the film's release). His character's tragic past inflecting his attitude to life and difficulties relating to those around him. The incredibly insular nature of the man does much to accentuate the tightness of Tramell's hold over him, her unnerving skill in controlling others demonstrated to be unparalleled in stature.     

Whether or not the many graphic sex scenes that populate the picture are necessary in relating the narrative is debatable, but they do add an extra layer of depth to the motivations of the characters. Rather than being any kind of expression for those involved, the intimacy often serves as a means by which to manipulate partners into decisions and conclusions that further entangle them in a brilliantly twisted web of lies and deceit. It's a somewhat cynical take on relationships, but adds to the feeling that danger lies around every corner and choosing to trust more or less anyone could be a fatal mistake.

For the most part, the murders themselves would not feel out of place in a slasher flick. Copious amounts of blood and an unflinching focus on the grisly details characterise the majority. This, along with the erotica and locations in which the action takes place, bring the seedier side of this fictional San Francisco to the fore. A constant supply of sex, drugs and alcohol seemingly on tap at all hours of the day.

The Verdict:

8/10
A classic thriller full of sex, murder, and intrigue. One of the most memorable femme fatales in cinema has lost none of her cold dominance in the years since the film's release. Essential viewing.