Basic Instinct (1992)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer (WGA):

Joe Eszterhas (written by)

Release Date:

20 March 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

A brutal murder. A brilliant killer. A cop who can't resist the danger.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Suspect | Detective | Murder | Police | Girlfriend

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Michael Douglas	...	Detective Nick Curran
Sharon Stone	...	Catherine Tramell
George Dzundza	...	Gus
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Dr. Beth Garner
Denis Arndt	...	Lieutenant Walker
Leilani Sarelle	...	Roxy
Bruce A. Young	...	Andrews
Chelcie Ross	...	Captain Talcott
Dorothy Malone	...	Hazel Dobkins
Wayne Knight	...	John Correli
Daniel von Bargen	...	Lieutenant Nilsen (as Daniel Von Bargen)
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Dr. Lamott
Benjamin Mouton	...	Harrigan
Jack McGee	...	Sheriff
Bill Cable	...	Johnny Boz

Also Known As:

Basic Instinct (France)
Ice Cold Desire (Singapore: English title) (censored version)
Love Hurts (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for drug use and language.

Runtime:

127 min | USA:128 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR | LC-Concept Digital Sound (France)

Certification:

Malaysia:(Banned) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2001) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) (also director's cut) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Singapore:PG (video rating) (heavily cut) | USA:R (#31380) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) (2007) | Finland:K-16 (video rating) (cut) (1992) | Finland:K-18 (theatrical rating) (1992) | Singapore:R(A) (cut) (1992) | Hungary:18 | India:A | Brazil:18 | Israel:18 (video rating) | Israel:X (original rating) | Philippines:R-18 | Norway:15 (DVD rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (also director's cut) | Chile:18 | France:-12 (re-rating) | France:-16 (original rating) | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated (director's cut) | Mexico:C | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

1158 Montgomery Street, Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Carolco Pictures

Trivia:

According to director Paul Verhoeven, the woman in the opening scene was Sharon Stone and not a body double.

Goofs:

Continuity: Beth Garner's first name is spelled "Elisabeth" on the entrance door to her office. However, when Nick looks up her driving license records, the name is spelled "Elizabeth".

Quotes:

Nick: I'm working my ass off, I'm off the sauce, I even stopped smoking.
Beth Garner: How's not smoking?
Nick: It sucks.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Blue

More than just sex scenes!

Sure its dirty minded, and extremely violent, but underneath all of Paul Verhoevens trademark sleaze there is a great film noir thriller to be seen. The film has a sense of an old 40's or 50's film noir, but of course with the 90's boundaries in taste and graphic nudity. The story is quite involving and there are plenty of twists and turns and unresolved endings. Michael Douglas is good in his role and must have really enjoyed film shagging Jean Tripplehorn and Sharon Stone, while it is Stone who steals the show as the writer Catherine, whose books write about murders that are apparently being copied by a murdering female. Its very steamy but the cinematography and the score are all very good and the film is more clever than merely T&A. It is a film that has spawned many inferior clones, usually TV movies starring melon chested playboy queen Shannon Tweed. ****