“Basic Instinct” Paul Verhoeven creates a perfect image of an evil woman using the visual beauty of Jan de Bont

The magical charm of this work has been met with fierce protests.

Although this film is full of cinematic appeal from a visual standpoint alone, it was also a controversial film that came under intense attack from gay rights groups.

Catherine is bisexual and has a female lover named Roxy. The fact that Catherine, who has a homosexual side, was a serial killer, and Roxy was also created as a very violent character, was questioned. The film was criticized for ``labeling sexual minorities as abnormal'' and was even blocked from filming.

Indeed, if this work were planned now in 2022, it is doubtful whether it would be produced. Verhoeven's expressions (especially the sexual scenes) are direct, sometimes violent, and full of dark male desires. As a result, there continues to be a smoldering suspicion among the audience that the truly charming Catherine played by Stone is falling into the stereotype of the ideal evil woman that men imagine.

“Basic Instinct” (c)Photofest / Getty Images

However, the irony is that this "doubt" has also become a metaphor for the story of this work. Isn't Catherine the murderer? Detective Nick is attracted to her even though he doubts her, and is captivated by her charm. This seems like a movie fan who, while holding back on his evaluation of the film from the standpoint of political correctness, is unable to resist its charm and returns to the film from time to time.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the magic that induces such a structure is also one of the charms of this work. This film itself is a femme fatale for movie fans.

*Comments in the text are taken from the making-of and audio commentary included in the DVD " Basic Instinct Special Edition ."

Interview and text: Tetsuya Inagaki

TV director. My personal goal is to realize a documentary project that depicts the obsessions of manga and movie creators. Programs he has directed in the past include ``The Godfather : The Man Who Revolutionized Manga'' (WOWOW), ``Takeshi's Birth: Master and Asakusa'' (NHK), ``Master and Disciple Story: The Encounter That Changed My Life'' [Masahiro Tanaka x Katsuya Nomura ]” (NHK BS Premium)

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(c) Photofest / Getty Images