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Instinct (1999)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:66
Fresh:18
Rotten:48
Average Rating:4.3/10
Consensus: A convoluted and predictable plot overshadows the performances.
Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Theo Caulder (Gooding, Jr.) is an ambitious psychiatric who has been asked by his mentor Ben Hillard (Sutherland) to evaluate the case of legendary anthropologist and primatologist Ethan Powell... Theo Caulder (Gooding, Jr.) is an ambitious psychiatric who has been asked by his mentor Ben Hillard (Sutherland) to evaluate the case of legendary anthropologist and primatologist Ethan Powell (Hopkins). Powell- a highly educated man who holds an ominous secret in his past- is currently being held captive in a maximum security prison for the critically insane. In an attempt to understand the actions of this headline-gripping madman, Caulder elicits the aid of Powell's estranged daughter, Lyn. Risking his career and his life, Caulder's ambition drives him to find the truth, regardless of the cost. Both men become psychologically connected as their relationship changes from psychiartrist and prisoner to student and teacher. [More]
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding, Donald Sutherland, Maura Tierney
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding, Donald Sutherland, Maura Tierney, George Dzundza, John Ashton, John Aylward, Marc Macaulay
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Screenwriter: Gerald Di Pego
Producer: Barbara Boyle, Michael Taylor
Composer: Danny Elfman
Reviews for Instinct
Instinct, by trusting its own, should manage to sate a few common urges of moviegoers of all type.
Director Jon Turteltaub keeps both the physical action and the verbal exchanges flowing, gradually revealing the demons that arouse the scholar to murderous fury.
Instinct does explore some intriguing ideas, which are showcased in the fine performances of Hopkins and Gooding.
Gooding's mostly believable and delivers a crowd pleasing take on his character.
Perhaps, like the human race itself, "Instinct," far from flawless is nonetheless seductively imperious, and yes, as lovable as a perfect paradox
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