Blonde Poison: The Making of 'Basic Instinct' (2001 Video) User Reviews

Imagining a Sexy, Killing, Lesbian, Queer, Machine??? - or just a movie

[ryangilmer007 · 7/10 · 7 February 2002]

I don't know what Sharon Stone got paid for this documentary, but it probably wasn't much (since it is more of a publicity thing) and it was worth it.

This documentary of Basic Instinct was including in the Basic Instict special edition (both versions) DVD under special features. I didn't have much in terms of expectations, but the documentary surpassed them. Later, after watching the Total Recall's documentary, mainly because the two DVD's where widely advertised together, similarities were seen

While the backgrounds of the interviews in this edition are mainly the same as those used in Total Recall (and vice versa), the magic (or goodness) seems only to be in the Basic Instict documentary. For starters, instead of bringing Sharon Stone in for live interviews for Total Recall, archive footage is used. However, this practice makes little sense because Sharon Stone is interviewed for Basic Instinct. While, Total Recall uses the same archive footage trick for other actors, Basic Instict has the money to bring in other people/actors who worked on the project (hmm. imagine that).

Even the backstory on Basic Instict is much more interesting (instead of a bankrupt project that Arnold Schwarzenegger saves, we have stories of Queer Nation, of attempts to rewrite the story to satisfy gays and lesbians who thought the movie was gay bashing because of a sexy lesbian killing machine (or Basic Instinct is just a good psycological thriller, but that is just me), of Picketting, of the movie thriving despite the fact that the ending was giving away (Queer Nation published it), and of the questionable ending that it is (i.e. what does it mean??).

However, the movie is not perfect, there was no talk about the sequel, that is on-again, off-again.

In the end, the movie Imagining Total Recall is just OK and the movie Blonde Poison: The Making of Basic Instinct is better, even if only by a stab.

Rating: 7

Showing one of the many problems with America...

[mentalcritic · 16 March 2004]

One of the many problems with America is that rather than work together for a common good, all the groups that make it up would rather fight with one another. This is a theme that pervades the documentary, and it is surprising to find that it is really secondary in terms of America's reaction to the film compared to the general American public's fear of reality.

Like any other Paul Verhoeven film, nothing that happens in real life was shied away from in Basic Instinct. How much of this relates back to Verhoeven himself, and how much of it is Joe Ezsterhas' doing, is still open for debate. However, one aspect of the film that shines through in spite of all the idiocy is how brilliantly it was put together.

One of the many stand-out features of the actual film is that one would never guess it is only the second film Verhoeven shot in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1, which is understandable considering how dynamic some of the shots are. This, however, is one of the many subjects one would expect from a making-of that is never touched on in spite of the fact that the documentary features appearances from cinematographer Jan De Bont.

By far the standout feature of the documentary is the activists from Queer Nation, who still have no idea how their protests of the film have backfired upon them some ten years after the fact. One of them even has the audacity to claim that their protests brought Hollywood to "change its tune" and bring out shows like Ellen. She seems blissfully unaware that Hollywood never changes its tune. Its tune is always "oh wow, here's another market I can exploit!". Nor does she realise how much harm they have done to the average cinephile's view of how much respect the gay community really has for the First Amendment when it isn't applying to them.

However, this creates another quandry when it comes to assessing one of Verhoeven's most famous works. Should the film be viewed as a classic because it is a tight story shot beautifully? Or should it be viewed simply as a classic bait to expose organisations like Queer Nation for what they are? One could lose sweep over questions like that.

It is worth noting the conspicuous absence of both Sharon Stone and Joe Eszterhas, two people Verhoeven had major conflicts with after the film was released. Indeed, contrary to the perception some viewers might walk away with after this documentary, Verhoeven has sworn he'll never work with Joe again. After some of the other scripts to Joe's credit, such as Jade (which, you will note, organisations like Queer Nation or N.O.W. did not protest), I am surprised anyone else is surprised.

In the end however, the purpose of a documentary is to inform and entertain at the same time. While Blonde Poison is certainly entertaining, to call it informative about anything other than how special interest groups are nullifying democracy in America would be extremely generous. Sure, there are tidbits such as choices regarding the score or how the project got started, but there should have been so much more.

All in all, a 5 out of ten from me. It is worth watching once, but the audio commentaries on the DVDs give the viewer so much more.

never give in to minority groups even a little

[movieman_kev · 4/10 · 27 October 2005]

This 24 minute retrospective on the movie "Basic Instinct" can be located on the Special edition DVD of the aforementioned movie. It features interviews with Director Paul Verhoeven as well as other crew members and goes into composing, the acting, story and whatnot, typical stuff. Too much time is spent over gushing over Sharon Stone. Yet the most interesting aspect of the documentary is the gay controversy, I really hate that they caved in and let them have their say on this. I strongly doubt that the film makes would cave in even a little if say a Catholic group were protesting instead. In defense to the film makers the gay groups do come off as f$#%ing nuts.

My Grade: C-

Incredible Behind the Scenes Documentary

[AUTOMAT001 · 2/10 · 13 October 2002]

Most added value documentaries are nothing but filler but this one is totally awesome! Who cares if Sharon Stone isn't in it? Buy the DVD simply for the behind the scenes stuff. It's more compelling than the film itself which everyone knows is only good for one scene. The director of this documentary, JEFFREY SCHWARZ, should be applauded! His talent is more phenomenal than the people who made "BASIC INSTINCT" Why isn't every studio hiring this guy???? Get with the program and give him more projects!!!