Fatal Instinct (1993)

A spoof of the late '80s and early '90s suspense thrillers and murder mysteries, including Basic Instinct, Sleeping With The Enemy, and Cape Fear. A cop/attorney (yes he's both) is seduced ... See full summary »

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writer:

David O'Malley

Stars:

Armand Assante, Sherilyn Fenn, Kate Nelligan

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Armand Assante	...	Ned Ravine
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Laura Lincolnberry
Kate Nelligan	...	Lana Ravine
Sean Young	...	Lola Cain
Christopher McDonald	...	Frank Kelbo
James Remar	...	Max Shady
Tony Randall	...	Judge Skanky
Clarence Clemons	...	Clarence
Michael Cumpsty	...	Laura's Husband
John Witherspoon	...	Arch
Blake Clark	...	Milo Crumley
Edward Blanchard	...	Restroom Patron
David Greenlee	...	Restroom Stall Patron
Tim Frisbie	...	Guy in Bumper Car
Michael MacCleod	...	Freckle-Faced Kid

Storyline

A spoof of the late '80s and early '90s suspense thrillers and murder mysteries, including Basic Instinct, Sleeping With The Enemy, and Cape Fear. A cop/attorney (yes he's both) is seduced by a woman while his wife is having an affair with a mechanic. Lots of other sublots and visual gags in the style of Naked Gun. Check the rating.

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Plot Keywords:

spoof | sweating | slipping on blood | fear of trains | blonde | 

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Taglines:

Sex, murder and revenge were never this funny.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for off-color humor

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Yiddish

Release Date:

29 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Triple Indemnity

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$7,852,653

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sherilyn Fenn was originally considered for the role of the femme fatale Lola, eventually played by Sean Young. Fenn opted for the role of Armand Assante's lovesick secretary Laura and suggested director Carl Reiner cast Young as Lola.

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Goofs

While Lola is blowing smoke in Ned's face, you can see her breathing normally.

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Quotes

Lola Cain: He left me. He left me because she looked more like me than I did.

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Connections

Spoofs 9½ Weeks (1986)

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Soundtracks

Brown Eyed Girl
Written and Performed by Van Morrison
Courtesy of Columbia Records
by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Nothing fatal about this one

Very funny film noir spoof, that's undeservedly criticised. It may lack the "quality" feel of e.g. The Naked Gun, but I think it's almost as funny.

The film looks great, and the jokes aren't as much of a hit-and-miss affair as you could fear. Naturally it's almost essential that you've seen most of the films it takes a crack at (Double Indemnity, Body Heat, Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Sleeping with the Enemy just to mention a few).

But what really elevates Fatal Instinct above similar efforts is the brilliant performance from Armand Assante, who displays a comic timing that I never would have guessed he had. He plays his completely oblivious-to-everything-that's-happening-around-him detective with such dead pan seriousness, that it's impossible not to laugh (the scenes with his skunk little Neddy are hilarious).

Never mind the critics, find this film and see it. [8/10]