There was a time when Sharon Stone was one of the hottest actresses in Hollywood. Stone appeared in a bunch of films in the 1980's, and she managed to snag a big time role in Total Recall as Arnold Schwarzenegger's on-screen wife, but Stone's popularity exploded, when she portrayed the seductive and physoctic novelist, Catherine Tramell.
I've always thought Basic Instinct was an overrated film. I know it's become somewhat of a cult classic over the years, but I've never been too crazy about it. I think it's a decent enough mystery/suspense flick, but this film isn't as good as the followers make it out to be. Seriously, when you think about Basic Instinct, what comes to your mind? Is it the acting? Is it the story? No. This film is remembered for the over the top sex scenes, and Stone's famous leg crossing interrogation scene. You should know what I'm talking about, if you've seen this movie.
The Catherine Tramell character is so bizarre and unbelievable. She's a woman who tries to be smart and crafty, but this is something I can never buy into. Michael Douglas' character never believed Tramell's story, but Tramell would continue to cloud his judgement with her good looks and sexual favors. The Tramell character just isn't convincing enough. I can never believe she's this smart woman who manages to fool her doubters, because throughout this film, the male police officers are only mesmerized by Stone's stunning looks. Catherine Tramell isn't the total package, when it comes to brains and beauty. She was a smoking hot woman who enticed other people with her good looks. Dougals is warned about Tramell's seductive powers, but of course, he never listens.
I might not be too crazy about Basic Instinct, but I think Stone struck gold with her performance in Casino. She was just great in this film, and I do think this is her best performance ever. At first, Ginger is this beautiful and desirable woman who any man would want. Yeah, she had her sneaky and deceitful ways, but still, she was irresistible. But as this film progresses, Ginger becomes darker and more manipulative, and there are times where I believed she was truly evil. She wanted to get rid off De Niro once and for all, and she involved her own daughter in her sick games. Ginger tried to use her own daughter for a ransom scheme, and towards the end of the film, Ginger tied her own daughter to a bed! There was no chance for her to escape, but luckily, De Niro managed to rescue his child. She wasn't this desirable woman anymore. She turned into this trashy woman who wanted to make De Niro's life a living hell. De Niro tried to help her, but Ginger became more selfish than before, and her hatred for De Niro was at an all-time high. She managed to pull off this transformation so well, and I always enjoy watching her in this film. Stone was great in Casino, and I wish she would've won the Oscar for her performance here.
I love Stone in Casino, but she hasn't done anything memorable since this film. Over the years, Sharon Stone's films have been pretty mediocre or forgettable. Stone had a chance at a comeback in 2006, when she returned as Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct 2, but this film was horrible. Basic Instinct 2 was nothing more than a softcore porn with an awful story. This film truly deserves all of the hate it receives. I'm not a fan of the Catherine Tramell character, but Stone's portrayal manages to catch my attention. It's like watching this horrific train wreck. You just can't look away. I enjoyed The Quick & The Dead, but I think Gene Hackman carried that film. Stone was also decent in Total Recall, as the treacherous wife who stabbed her husband in the back, but in this film, Stone is overshadowed by Arnold and a very unique story. For me, Stone's only memorable performance comes from Casino, and when I think of Sharon Stone, the term "one-trick pony" comes to mind. Sharon Stone probably had the potential to become one of Hollywood's top actress in the long run, but Stone never managed to solidify her status as a great actress. She'll always be remembered for Basic Instinct and Catherine Tramell, but overall, her career has been mediocre, and she never managed to gain that elite superstar status.
