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Movies / On DVD / Instinct
Instinct

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Instinct (1999)

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27 %
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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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Instinct

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
03/05/02
Ken Hollings
Ken Hollings
Sight and Sound

Instinct, by trusting its own, should manage to sate a few common urges of moviegoers of all type.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
01/01/00
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Hopkins is quite good as Powell.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
01/01/00
Darren D'Addario
Darren D'Addario
Citysearch

Strong acting and philosophical message!

Full Review Source: NUVO Newsweekly | comment Comment
01/01/00
Edward Johnson-Ott
Edward Johnson-Ott
NUVO Newsweekly

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Elspeth Haughton
Elspeth Haughton
Apollo Guide

A psychologically rich film about animal and human nature.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/04/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Director Jon Turteltaub keeps both the physical action and the verbal exchanges flowing, gradually revealing the demons that arouse the scholar to murderous fury.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
01/01/00
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

Instinct does explore some intriguing ideas, which are showcased in the fine performances of Hopkins and Gooding.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Solid directing and good acting!

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Gooding's mostly believable and delivers a crowd pleasing take on his character.

Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jim Judy
Jim Judy
Screen It!

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
01/01/00
JoBlo
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

Two terrific performances!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
01/01/00
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

Gooding is at his best!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Robert Horton
Robert Horton
Film.com

Perhaps, like the human race itself, "Instinct," far from flawless is nonetheless seductively imperious, and yes, as lovable as a perfect paradox

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Russell Smith
Russell Smith
Austin Chronicle

A guilty pleasure.

Full Review Source: StaciWilson.com | comment Comment
01/02/05
Staci Layne Wilson
Staci Layne Wilson
StaciWilson.com

Strong performances!

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
01/01/00
Susan Stark
Susan Stark
Detroit News
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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