Fatal Instinct (1993)

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writer (WGA):

David O'Malley (written by)

Release Date:

29 October 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Sex, murder and revenge were never this funny.

Plot:

A spoof of the late 80s and early 90s suspense thrillers and murder mysteries, including Basic Instinct...

Plot Keywords:

Identical Twins | Drowning | Ice Pick | Humor | On The Run

Cast

Armand Assante	...	Ned Ravine
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Laura Lincolnberry
Kate Nelligan	...	Lana Ravine
Sean Young	...	Lola Cain
Christopher McDonald	...	Frank Kelbo
James Remar	...	Max Shady
Tony Randall	...	Judge Skanky
Clarence Clemons	...	Clarence
Michael Cumpsty	...	Laura's Husband
John Witherspoon	...	Arch
Blake Clark	...	Milo Crumley
Edward Blanchard	...	Restroom Patron
David Greenlee	...	Restroom Stall Patron
Tim Frisbie	...	Guy in Bumper Car
Michael MacCleod	...	Freckle-Faced Kid

Also Known As:

Triple Indemnity (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Yiddish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:A (Ontario) | Singapore:PG (cut) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #32512) | Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | Denmark:7 (2003) | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Sherilyn Fenn was originally considered for the role of the femme fatale Lola, eventually played by Sean Young. Fenn opted for the role of Armand Assante's lovesick secretary Laura and suggested director Carl Reiner cast Young as Lola.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Ravine throws a shoe out the window at the bird, it hits a background screen.

Quotes:

Lana Ravine: You speak Yiddish?
Man in park: No, but I can read the subtitles.

Movie Connections:

References This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Soundtrack:

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Nothing fatal about this one

Very funny film noir spoof, that's undeservedly criticised. It may lack the "quality" feel of e.g. The Naked Gun, but I think it's almost as funny.

The film looks great, and the jokes aren't as much of a hit-and-miss affair as you could fear. Naturally it's almost essential that you've seen most of the films it takes a crack at (Double Indemnity, Body Heat, Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Sleeping with the Enemy just to mention a few).

But what really elevates Fatal Instinct above similar efforts is the brilliant performance from Armand Assante, who displays a comic timing that I never would have guessed he had. He plays his completely oblivious-to-everything-that's-happening-around-him detective with such dead pan seriousness, that it's impossible not to laugh (the scenes with his skunk little Neddy are hilarious).

Never mind the critics, find this film and see it. [8/10]