When noted anthropologist Dr. Ethan Powell, who left society to live in the jungle, is imprisoned for murder, it's up to young psychiatrist Theo Caulder to get through to him.When noted anthropologist Dr. Ethan Powell, who left society to live in the jungle, is imprisoned for murder, it's up to young psychiatrist Theo Caulder to get through to him.When noted anthropologist Dr. Ethan Powell, who left society to live in the jungle, is imprisoned for murder, it's up to young psychiatrist Theo Caulder to get through to him.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Winston gorillas in were so authentic, few people viewing the film ever realized that the animals were not real. "One of the greatest compliments I got from a friend," said Paul Mejias, "was when he said: 'I saw Instinct. Which were the real gorillas and which were yours?' That said it all." "The combination of the art and technology that went into our gorilla heads and suits," added Stan Winston, "the gorilla performances of the actors in those suits, and the fact that they were shot in a natural environment resulted in some of the best gorilla work I've ever seen. We'd had to go through a learning curve on Congo. But with Instinct, we nailed it."
- GoofsWhen Theo goes to visit Lynn at her home it is late at night, yet once inside the house, daylight is coming through the windows.
- Quotes
Ethan Powell: [Farewell letter to Dr. Calder] Dear Theo: I'm sorry I'm not there to say goodbye. You were right. Freedom is not just a dream. It's there, on the other side of those fences we build all by ourselves. Thank you for giving me hope and for giving me back my daughter. And I thank you, Theo, for sharing this journey with me. Your friend, Ethan.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Instinct/The Loss of Sexual Innocence/Limbo (1999)
There is a line in one of Pearl Jams songs that says " I don't question our existence, I just question our modern needs. " You will not find more profound lyrics than those ones and this movie takes that same idea and explores it deeper. It shows us the greedy nature of man and how destructive we all are. But it also shows us how beautiful it all once was, and how it all changed.
This movie has been so unfairly critisized by everyone from the media to even other people in this very forum that don't seem to understand what it is all about. By now we all know the story of how Anthony Hopkins goes to the jungle and lives among the gorillas and then ends up murdering people. But what we don't know is why he does it. How he gets to that fateful moment and what it is that makes him, a peaceful man, want to kill another human being.
The strengths in this movie are numerous but it starts with the performances. Hopkins is quietly brilliant as the emotionally traumatized and scarred former anthropologist. You can feel his pain even before he tells what it is that is eating away inside of him. Cuba Gooding is great as the doctor that goes on a journey with Ethan Powell. At first his interest in Powell is simply one of selfishness. But as he learns more about this complex man, the more he understands and empathizes with him. Also good in his role as the brutal prison guard is John Ashton ( remember him from Beverly Hills Cop? ). His character is very reminiscent of Clancy Brown's in Shawshank Redemption but he is very good here. But the real strength of the film is in the story and the screenplay.
The two writers for the film care about what it is that they have to say and they believe in it. You can feel what it is that they are trying to convey. And that is simply: why must we as human beings be so destructive? Why must we be so hateful and greedy and why do have to ruin everything that was once pure and serene? The scenes in this film that are meant to ask for your sympathy are not just gratuitous violence to sell tickets, they are there because things like this happen in real life and we never do anything to stop it. And that is a shame.
Denzel Washington's character in " The Siege " said, " You don't let any murderer go free. ANY MURDERER!!! " Well Hopkin's character was punished for his crime but what about the men that murdered those that weren't human? What crime have they committed? And what punishment do they receive for the act of murder against something that isn't human? There is no punishment. And that is what makes us sad individuals and that is what this movie is trying to tell us.
Give this movie a chance. It really is a gem and hopefully it will open just one person's eyes and ask them to change. If it can do that, then it has done it's job. I applaud everyone associated with this movie. I just wish more studios and directors and actors would have the guts to do this. I just hope some people can see this movie for what it is and not for what we critisize it for trying to be. And as melo-dramatic as this review may sound to some people and as melo-dramatic as this is also going to sound, it has to be said.
Thank you John Turtletaub for making this movie. You moved me and made me think about a great many things. I hope I'm not alone.
- How long is Instinct?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $80,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $34,105,207
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $10,390,387
- Jun 6, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $34,105,207
- Runtime2 hours 6 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1