Synopsis
A man who leaves humanity behind to live with animals returns to society under unpleasant circumstances, but with valuable lessons about human and animal relationships. Anthony Hopkins stars as Ethan Powell, a noted anthropologist studying the behavior of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The longer Powell follows the apes, the more he comes to admire their simple but peaceful society. He begins to spend most of his time with the apes until one day he ventures into the jungle and doesn't return. Powell throws in his lot with the gorillas and lives among them as primitive man once lived in the wild with animals. However, two years later, poachers kill several of the gorillas, and Powell flies into a murderous rage, killing two of the men who attacked his friends. Extradited to the United States, Powell is sent to a grim maximum-security prison in Florida, where he will be held while awaiting trail. A psychological evaluation must be performed on Powell, and the task falls to Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.), an ambitious young psychiatrist who sees this as a case with the potential to make him famous. However, since Powell initially won't speak to anyone, getting through to him will be a challenge, and Powell's daughter Lyn (Maura Tierney) has little insight on the father she barely knew. As Caulder slowly builds a rapport with Powell, he comes to realize what Powell has learned from his experience with the gorillas -- and how much Powell can teach him about living with others. Loosely adapted from the novel Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, Instinct also features supporting performances from Donald Sutherland and George Dzundza.
What Critics Say
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Movie News
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Travolta and Jackson's "Basic" instinct
Following is a Quick Take about John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson's new film "Basic." Mentioned names are John Travolta Samuel L Jackson Pulp Fiction Basic Quentin Tarantino
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Stone's "Instinct" is to sue
The anticipated sequel "Basic Instinct 2" has stalled and has been pulled off MGM's development slate. Star Sharon Stone has filed suit against the producers for breach of contract.
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Stone Loses 'Instinct'
HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 5, 2001 -- Now, we're not sure if this is bad news or good news, but "Basic Instinct 2" might never see the light of day.
The film, which is the sequel to the 1992 Sharon Stone thriller, is having problems finding a male lead and is consequently being put on hold, Daily Variety says.
Screen diva Stone -- who made her name with the original flick -- is the only person from the first movie to have signed on for the sequel. The film's original director Paul Verhoeven and lead actor Michael Douglas both declined to return.
Oft-troubled actor Robert Downey Jr. was offered the lead of a young shrink who comes into contact with Stone's ice-pick wielding psychopath, but he too said no.
The project was aiming for a March shooting date.
Stay tuned for more information.
SPLITSVILLE: It's only been five days since the New Year, and 2001
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ROLE CALL: Stone Gets That Old 'Instinct'
HOLLYWOOD, June 23, 2000 -- New mother Sharon Stone apparently has decided to mark her passage into parenthood by inking a reputed $15 million deal to reprise the ice-pick-killing, leg-crossing role that made her really famous. Stone is the first -- and only -- core member of the "Basic Instinct" team to reup for the sequel, imaginitively dubbed "Basic Instinct 2."
Original co-star Michael Douglas, director Paul Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas will not join Stone's bid to revive her screen siren career, according to Daily Variety. And to hear the film's producers -- C-2 Pictures -- tell it, that's fine by them.
"We are thrilled to have Sharon on board for the film," C-2's Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna said in a statement. "The first film could not have been made without Sharon's mesmerizing performance, and we believe her return engagement will be even more exciti