After a wealthy heiress is murdered in her beach house, her devastated husband becomes the prime suspect. He hires a lawyer who hasn’t taken a criminal case in years, and as they work together, a complicated romance develops amidst the trial.
Acting
Bridges weaponizes charm; Close's trembling control is masterclass.
Direction
Marquand's final film before Return of the Jedi. Taut, patient, cruel.
Writing
Joe Eszterhas's debut script. The typewriter that launched Basic Instinct.
Director
Richard Marquand
Glenn Close
Teddy Barnes
Jeff Bridges
Jack Forrester
Peter Coyote
Thomas Krasny
Lance Henriksen
Frank Martin
Robert Loggia
Sam Ransom
Michael Dorn
Dan Hislan
Maria Mayenzet
Page Forrester
William Allen Young
Greg Arnold
Ben Hammer
Dr. Goldman
James Karen
Andrew Hardesty
Al Ruscio
Carl Siegal
Bruce French
Richard Duffin
Brandon Call
David Barnes
Phyllis Applegate
Mrs. Stiles
Guy Boyd
Matthew Barnes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Eszterhas sold this spec script for $300,000 in 1980, a record that made Hollywood notice him. He wrote it in 13 days.
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