I love this movie. It feels like Paul Verhoeven studied his Hitchcock and brought a team of very talented filmmakers together to make the ultimate Hitchcockian-inspired sex thriller.
— THE WRITING —
At the time of its release, Joe Eszterhas' script prompted a bidding war that would make him the highest paid screenwriter at the time. While some may mock the trashy quality of it, you have to admit it's very enjoyable trashy writing, with a few memorable quotes to fill your life with.
— THE ACTING —
Sharon Stone was born to play Catherine Tramell. It was meant to be. She's a beautiful, blonde, seductress, who's rich, smart, and knows exactly how to work people. Instant iconic character. Everyone else is perfectly fine in their roles.
— THE CINEMATOGRAPHY —
Jan de Bont, who would go on to make 'Speed' and 'Twister' was the cinematographer for this film. And boy does that man know how to frame and move a camera around. Every shot is done with a purpose, you see what you're supposed to see, you are shown what is supposed to be revealed, and everything is framed beautifully.
— THE LOCATIONS —
Based in San Francisco, the film actually shows us some of the most beautiful locations there. I recently took a trip to San Francisco, and I made sure to stop at some of the same filming locales (I got exact addresses)[see photos]. Whoever did the location scouting picked some of the most gorgeous views of the city and around the city.
— THE MUSIC —
The music is perfect for this movie and on its own. Jerry Goldsmith was pushed very hard by the director, and what he's created here is worthy of his nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. I have the [[ASIN:B0000014SR Basic Instinct: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]], and I love the album. There is one track in particular, "An Unending Story," it was playing one day while I was coming home from work; it felt like I was in a movie, that I was being stalked, and I had to look behind me at times just to make sure.
— THE STORY —
This is a great mystery and thriller, that just happens to have explicit sex in it. You are introduced to a few main characters, which includes a detective, and you're trying to figure out what's going on just as much as he is. Things are played multiple ways so you can consider multiple scenarios. You are taken along for this ride until the memorable last shot, which if you listen to the great commentary track, explains everything.
— SUMMARY —
Yes it has violence, yes it has sex, but it also has a great story, writing, acting, music, and cinematography that pulls it all together. If you've never seen Basic Instinct, you need to make the time and enjoy this mystery thriller. Recommended.