'Basic Instinct 2': Erotic, Psychotic Mind Game

Highly erotic, exciting, and intriguing, "Basic Instinct 2" is a cinematic mind game which challenges and entices the audience from start to finish with its cleverly written plot that blurs reality and fiction. As a result, the film has a hypnotic effect on viewers, who will find themselves totally absorbed in their efforts to discover the real truth.

This sequel (directed by Michael Caton-Jones), released 14 years after the original 1992 "Basic Instinct", continues the exploits of psychopathic novelist Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone). Reprising her original role, Stone again dominates the screen with her over-theedge, sex-addicted, seductive, selfabsorbed, controlling portrayal as she sets out to destroy the life of anyone who is not useful to her. In "Basic Instinct 2", Catherine, who describes herself as "afraid of boredom", matches wits with a new psychiatrist, Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey) who has been appointed by the court to conduct a psychiatric evaluation following her arrest for bringing about the death of her boyfriend by injecting him with DTC, a drug which causes paralysis of the lungs. Morrissey's understated performance very effectively conveys the progression of his transition from trained professional with integrity to victim of seduction, and finally to a powerless pawn who loses his hold on reality.

After Glass diagnoses Catherine as suffering from the psychiatric disorder "risk addiction with elements of omnipotence", and her subsequent exoneration on the original murder charge, Catherine begins to see him for therapy. This is stage one in Catherine's diabolical plan to compromise Glass' integrity and make him an unwitting but major participant in her master plan for murder. Despite his better judgment, Glass eventually succumbs to Catherine's overtures, and after they become lovers, he is psychologically powerless against her. There appears to be no hope of escape from the inevitable tragic ending.

The remainder of the film focuses on three subsequent murders, all involving victims with connections to both Catherine and Glass, highlighting the elements of uncertainty and doubt as to the identity of the perpetrators of these crimes. Once again, the viewer is confronted with conflicting and contradictory facts and theories (some invented and distorted by Catherine) that make ascertaining the real truth nearly impossible. "Basic Instinct 2" is clearly not a film for the viewer who is looking for mindless entertainment and simple plot explanations, but for someone who enjoys speculation and analysis.

In a clever role reversal, the film concludes with a riveting scene featuring a barely recognizable Glass who has been transformed both emotionally and mentally by his life-altering encounter with Catherine.