The VHS Strikes Back
Fatal Instinct (1993)
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Episode notes
Blake has been a great friend and supporter for a good while now. And hopefully after this review of 1993's Fatal Instinct he still is!
Fatal Instinct was an ambitious attempt to spoof the popular erotic thrillers of the early 1990s, but it quickly became an exercise in comedic misfires. Directed by Carl Reiner, a seasoned comedy veteran, the film set out to parody films like Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction, blending noir elements with slapstick humor. Reiner cast Armand Assante, known for his serious roles, as the deadpan detective-lawyer Ned Ravine, hoping his straight-faced delivery would amplify the absurdity. The production leaned heavily into noir aesthetics, using moody lighting, shadowy sets, and sultry music to mimic the atmosphere of the thrillers it aimed to lampoon.
Despite the experienced cast and high production values, the film struggled from the outset. The humor, though abundant, felt forced and overplayed, often missing the mark. The balance between parody and slapstick proved difficult to maintain, resulting in a film that felt awkward and uneven. The production team’s commitment to visually recreating the noir vibe couldn't save the film from its misjudged comedic tone, and upon release, Fatal Instinct was met with largely negative reviews. Although it failed to resonate with most audiences, the film did eventually gain a small cult following, largely due to its status as a "so-bad-it's-good" comedy.
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Plot Summary:
Ned Ravine is both a lawyer and a detective because, why not? He’s caught in the middle of a web of utter nonsense: his wife’s trying to bump him off for the insurance money, his psychotic mistress is obsessed with him, and his innocent assistant is head over heels for him. All while he’s trying to solve crimes, and defend the people he's caught in court. The plot throws every classic noir trope into a blender, hits "chaos," and pours out a mad cocktail of mistaken identities, ridiculous schemes, and over-the-top seductions.
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