Basic Instinct (1992)

A violent police detective investigates a brutal murder that might involve a manipulative and seductive novelist.

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer:

Joe Eszterhas

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

A former rock star, Johnny Boz, is brutally killed during sex, and the case is assigned to detective Nick Curran of the SFPD. During the investigation, Nick meets Catherine Tramell, a crime novelist who was Boz's girlfriend when he died. Catherine proves to be a very clever and manipulative woman, and though Nick is more or less convinced that she murdered Boz, he is unable to find any evidence. Later, when Nilsen, Nick's rival in the police, is killed, Nick suspects of Catherine's involvement in it. He then starts to play a dangerous lust-filled mind game with Catherine to nail her, but as their relationship progresses, the body count rises and contradicting evidences force Nick to start questioning his own suspicions about Catherine's guilt.

---

Plot Keywords:

no panties | manipulation | erotic thriller | nudity | bisexual woman | 

---

Taglines:

A seductive suspect & a cop who can't resist her.

---

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

France USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Love Hurts

Filming Locations:

Carmel, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$49,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,129,385, 22 March 1992

Gross USA:

$117,727,224

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$352,927,224

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min 128 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR LC-Concept Digital Sound (France)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Over fifty actresses of a wide age range were considered for the role of Catherine Trammell, including Isabelle Adjani, Kim Basinger, Ellen Barkin, Geena Davis, Alison Doody, Melanie Griffith, Mariel Hemingway, Anjelica Huston, Kelly Lynch, Kelly McGillis, Demi Moore, Lena Olin, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Roberts, Rene Russo, Meg Ryan, Greta Scacchi, Emma Thompson and Debra Winger. However, most of them didn't want to do full nude scenes, or not any longer, so Sharon Stone, a relative unknown, was cast instead. A few of these actresses (such Basinger, Moore, Russo and Ryan) reconsidered later in their career, perhaps due to the huge success of this movie, which launched Stone's career and revived the erotic thriller.

---

Goofs

When the black Lotus Esprit crashes through the barricade, the high beams are off. As we see it come through the barricade from below, the high beams are on.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Gus: Who was this fuckin' guy?
Nick: Rock and roll, Gus. Johnny Boz.
Gus: Never heard of him.
Nick: Before your time, cowboy.

---

Alternate Versions

A special Network TV version of the film was prepared by director Paul Verhoeven substituting alternate non-explicit footage and close-ups for all violent and sexually explicit shots.

---

Connections

Referenced in Santa Maradona (2001)

---

Soundtracks

Looking for the Summer
Written and Performed by Chris Rea
Courtesy of ATCO Records / Warner Music (U.K.), Ltd., by arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Great thriller which constantly gets reduced to it's nude scenes

The title says it all, this is one great thriller which I rate higher than "Se7en" or similar apparently top notch films in this category. It has loads of suspense, high tension, catchy and memorable dialogues, great actors, fabulous music score and an excellent director who didn't get scared off by protesters and other hypocrites. And yes, they are hypocrites in my mind, people who watch this movie are meant to be mature, thus denying sex is either hypocritical or prudish. If that's not your thing okay, then don't watch it but don't rate it low just because you can't handle it. Because the sex scenes are really just a few minutes long (I'm European and they're really aren't that strong) but make up a large part of Catherine's character and are a fundamental part of the plot. The film would be unthinkable without them but shouldn't be reduced to them either. Naturally don't watch it with your kids, but if you're not scared of some nudity and like thrillers you'll love this one since it keeps one on the edge right until the end.