Basic Instinct (1991) starring Michael Douglas & Sharon Stone

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

We ALL know the story here, BUT is it a good movie (IF we put aside the explicit scenes)? I’d say it kept my interest and is (mostly) watch-able. It could’ve been shorter; the run time is 2 hrs. 8 mins. On a recent rewatch, I really noticed (and liked) the music; it was composed by Jerry Goldsmith) and V effective in creating tension/setting moods. I enjoyed the natural scenery: the winding roads around San Fran, the ocean, and Catherine’s beach house (recently priced at $52M). Catherine (Stone- 34 y.o.) wears some great (timeless) outfits; the actress sinks her teeth into the role (and becomes a star). She wasn’t well known; Douglas (48 y.o.) was the bigger name then. You will find homages to Hitchcock’s Vertigo. The 1st 45 mins of the story is much stronger than the rest. I can’t believe that the screenplay (by Joe Eszterhas) sold for $3M – wow!

The acting is NOT natural, as many viewers noted; it’s often V melodramatic. There are V problematic elements, which viewers may NOT have noticed back in the early ’90s. Beth, the police psychologist (played by Jeanne Tripplehorn- her 1st role), is treated V roughly/badly by Nick (Douglas) and just a plot device. I learned that members of the LGBTQ community protested screenings in ’91; it turns out that the 3 main women (bisexual) are characterized as potentially homicidal! In her recent autobiography, Stone wrote that Verhoeven (who hails from the Netherands and doesn’t shy away from controversy) “tricked” her into baring herself (in the infamous interrogation scene); he said that “the white underwear was causing a glare on camera.” I can see why many people now avoid this movie. As Siskel and Ebert said: “it’s NOT really about anything, if you take away the sex and nudity.”

Showgirls (1995) starring Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, & Gina Gershon

Carefree young drifter Nomi arrives in Las Vegas, Nevada to become a dancer and sets about clawing her way to the top of the Vegas showgirls. -Synopsis

Whoever called this movie “All About Eve, the trashy version” summed up the plot perfectly- LOL! This is a (notorious) movie which some call “so bad that it’s good.” Nope, this is a hot mess akin to a trainwreck (or under-baked cake). I saw it for the 1st time last week; I was surprised by how bad it was! To modern eyes, the nudity, steamy scenes, and baddie (unlikeable) characters won’t be anything TOO shocking. Eszterhas also wrote this screenplay; it’s NOT only bad writing, BUT often the story doesn’t make sense!

Nomi (Berkley- a former teen star from Saved by the Bell) is woman in her early 20s who’s hitchhiking to Vegas; she has dreams of becoming a showgirl. She is robbed by the young man who gave her a ride; in a parking lot, she (luckily) meets a young Black woman, Molly (Gina Rivera), who gets her food and offers her a place to live. Then we shift forward 6 wks; Molly is doing a fashion degree while working on costumes (BTS of a big show). Nomi is working at a popular strip club, yet NOT happy about it. Molly takes Nomi along one night to her job; Nomi is SO taken w/ the performance (and can’t wait for her chance). Soon, she gets an audition, and the story gets going.

Verhoeven makes some (weird) directorial choices and they don’t pay off. The tone is some scenes doesn’t fit the story; it’s quite jarring. Berkley’s overacting (“continuous thrashing”- as one of the hosts of The Bechdel Cast pod said) is V annoying! There is V little that can be called “hot” or “steamy” in this movie (esp. to modern eyes), though there is a LOT of nudity! If you’re bothered by the skin-baring on shows like HBO’s GoT, then this will be TOO much for you. I think the only actor who is effective is Gershon, who plays Cristal (the est. star of the show). Zach (Kyle MacLachhlan w/ a V sleazy hairstyle) is involved w/ Cristal and promotes the show; he also becomes interested in Nomi. Perhaps the worst thing here is how terribly Molly is treated (in the last act); it’s V violent and unnecessary! Just don’t watch it- you can thank me now.

Elle (2016) starring Isabelle Huppert

A successful businesswoman gets caught up in a game of cat and mouse as she tracks down the unknown man who raped her. -Synopsis

Michèle (Huppert) is a mature/Parisian woman who co-owns a video game company, specializing in games filled w/ sex/violence. After being raped in her home, she (calmly) cleans up the mess and orders sushi. Now, this is NOT how we expect a victim to behave (in the movies)! We soon see that she is NOT easy to like, BUT compelling to watch! Michele (tough/independent/says what she wants) has been greatly affected by her father; she doesn’t trust the police. The film explores NOT only Michèle’s relationship w/ her rapist (whose identity is est. about 2/3 of the way), BUT also her circle of family/friends. There’s her best friend, ex-husband, a jobless son w/ a pregnant gf, and a troubled employee, etc.

I almost couldn’t believe that the same director who made Showgirls also made this movie! It is based on a book. Though it is well-made w/ subtle (and dark) humor, it could be V disturbing to many viewers. Why does Michele react in the ways she does!? It’s almost like she’s inviting danger into her life. Huppert is known (internationally) as a fine actress; she doesn’t express many emotions here, BUT makes a big impression. What works in one country/culture will NOT always be embraced (or even tolerated) in another one. I learned that Verhoeven wanted to make this in the US, BUT he couldn’t get any American actress to tackle the lead role.