Back to ‘Basic’: Fabulous and almost 50

It’s been about 14 years since Sharon Stone became an international movie star by crossing her legs. That simple move in 1992’s “Basic Instinct” revealed to the world more of an actress than had previously been shared with mainstream audiences, and it sent the multiplex hordes into a tizzy. It happened during an interrogation scene and boy, did she give up information. The money shot in question was not the result of a wardrobe malfunction, as would probably be claimed today, but rather a calculated wardrobe deduction.

The incident was a premeditated attempt to make an already sexy woman appear even sexier — and it worked. Stone became a sensation, an uber-naughty Betty Grable of the ’90s, showing richer cheesecake than had ever been sampled, and she benefited from the attention with an appearance three weeks later on “Saturday Night Live” as well as prominent roles in films such as “Sliver” and “Casino,” the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination.

Naturally, talent is important. But sex sells.

But can it still sell for Sharon Stone? And, for that matter, can it be sold by any actress at or near the 50 mark?

It might be a generalization to say that women in Hollywood today are sexier than they’ve ever been, but let’s run with it anyway for discussion’s sake. Advances in health and fitness provide all human beings today the opportunity to look better for longer, but especially in image-crazed Hollywood where looks often translate into more work. And it’s impossible to ignore the benefits of a skilled plastic surgeon as well as strategically placed doses of Botox. Nowadays the only lines an actress has to fret over are the inane ones on a page.

If there indeed is a “in praise of older women” contingent among the ranks of movie-goers, this week will signal its call to arms. “Basic Instinct 2” opens March 31. The poster is a shot of Sharon Stone sitting in a chair, wearing a tantalizingly skimpy black outfit, with her legs crossed.

Some things never change. Or do they?

Back to ‘Basic’
Stone just turned 48 on March 10. It’s impossible to say if her sultry presence will have any box office impact whatsoever on the sequel to a hit that occurred 14 years ago. The perception in some quarters will probably be that Stone agreed to reprise her role as Catherine Tramell because needs the money and the attention, although that will be countered by the fact that she is getting regular work.

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Last year she appeared in Jim Jarmusch’s “Broken Flowers” as one of Bill Murray’s old girlfriends, and she currently has three pictures in post production, including “Bobby,” directed by Emilio Estevez, about the assassination of Robert Kennedy.

“Basic Instinct 2” also will not have the cultural impact that its predecessor had. Despite the Janet Jackson controversy and other occasional puritanical uprisings in recent times, audiences by now have seen just about everything, either in the theater, on home video or on the tube. That earlier flash of extreme femininity would be met with yawns today, although you can be sure the producers of the sequel have dreamed up some new treats with which to tempt viewers.

But Stone’s appearance in the new film will be welcome in one important respect: It’s the rare instance in Hollywood when a woman around the age of 50 is valued for her sexual powers.

That’s flattering rather than chauvinistic. By the age of 50, most actresses have already proved they can act. By that point, they’ve appeared in a wide variety of films and have showcased their talents often. To hail a 50ish actress as an object of desire is a tribute, not a knock.

If Stone can prove she still has it as a bombshell at age 48, then it might flick on a light bulb among studio heads who are locked in the traditional mindset of seeking out the next hot young starlet in order to appeal to teenage kids.

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