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Instinct (1999)

 -  Drama | Thriller  -  4 June 1999 (USA)
6.3
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Ratings: 6.3/10 from 20,762 users   Metascore: 43/100
Reviews: 226 user | 103 critic | 23 from Metacritic.com

When a noted anthropologist who left society to live in the jungle is imprisoned for murder, it's up to young psychiatrist to get through to him.

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Title: Instinct (1999)

Instinct (1999) on IMDb 6.3/10

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Cast

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Storyline

Nearly two years after having gone amiss in Africa, renowned anthropologist Dr. Ethan Powell is caught committing a crime and subsequently imprisoned in a Florida mental institution, where aspiring psychiatrist Dr. Theo Calder takes over his important case. Dr. Powell, who has been with a group of gorillas during all that time, is not talking at all and seems to be living in a dreamworld. Very slowly, Dr. Calder manages to reach Ethan Powell and starts finding out why Ethan killed two of the poachers. Yet Theo's case is not just about why the murders have happened, but also about how Dr. Powell became the being he is in the first place. With Ethan's silence broken, Theo is introduced into a world beyond common human comprehension: The true nature of being. He learns that mankind's control of everything is a mere illusion and that the true values of existence can't be found so easily. Ethan changes Theo's view of things forever. Written by Julian Reischl <julianreischl@mac.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Nothing is more savage than civilization. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some intense violent behavior | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

4 June 1999 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Ishmael  »

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£147,559 (UK) (17 September 1999)

Gross:

£147,559 (UK) (17 September 1999)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Sean Connery was originally offered the role of Ethan Powell. See more »

Goofs

When Theo goes to visit Lynn at her home it is late at night, yet once inside the house, daylight is coming through the windows. See more »

Quotes

Theo Calder: Your father maybe very ill.
Lynn Powell: Really? I thought maybe he was just in bad mood.
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Connections

References Gorillas in the Mist (1988) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Not an Illusion, but a Deep Psychological Thriller
22 January 2005 | by (England) – See all my reviews

Ethan Powell (Anthony Hopkins) A brilliant anthropologist, committed to an asylum for the criminally insane after committing murder.

Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.) a brilliant young psychologist, volunteers to examine Ethan to try and understand what exactly went on.

Theo's driven ambition pushes him into the psyche of a madman where he risks his own life to peel away the layers and unveil the man behind the madness.

A perfect cast and terrific story make this a very tense and thrilling ride through the mind of a madman, who may just hold the secret to remove the illusions we all have.

8/10 If you bore easily then leave well alone.


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