Total recallPaul Verhoeven’s first great science fiction film
After a more than twenty-year career in the Netherlands, director Paul Verhoeven moved internationally in 1984 with Flesh and bone, his first English-language film. She was 46 years old at the time and already had seven feature films under her belt, to which we must add half a dozen short films from her debut. This film will open the doors to Hollywood for him and he will continue with his science fiction work RoboCop in 1987, critical and commercial success. Following her momentum, in 1990 she produced the formidable Total recall with the great star of the time Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Adapted from a story by Philip K. Dick, Total recall radically and violently tells the story of a futuristic world in which it is possible to have “implanted” memories that go beyond life. Douglas Quaid, a man with a quiet life who regularly dreams of the planet Mars – without ever having been there – tries the experiment. From there, his life will change and a new reality and identity will be revealed to him.
A casting and a scene that will change everything
In Total recall, alongside star Arnold Schwarzenegger, we find Sharon Stone. She, initially a model, began working in cinema in 1980. But her beginnings were difficult. She misses decisive roles like those of Fatal connection, 9 and a half weeks AND Batmanappearing above all in reductive and very secondary roles such as that of a cute and clumsy girl, as in 1985 in Allan Quatermain and King Solomon’s Mines then its sequel in 1986, and in 1988 in Nico alongside Steven Seagal… The transition then took place in 1990 with his casting Total recallfor the memorable role of Lori Quaid, a character as seductive as he is deadly and chilling.
Lori Quaid, initially loving wife of Douglas Quaid, actually turns out to be a terrible antagonist and companion to Richter (Michael Ironside), right-hand man of the film’s villain Vilos Cohaagen (Ronny Cox). Sharon Stone is perfect in this role, interpreting the transition from the best to the worst feeling with disconcerting ease. A scene from Total recall demonstrates this vividly and a scene that will even launch her towards a global success.
In this sequence, Melina and Lori face off. Although Lori has the upper hand, she is disarmed by surprise by Douglas, who she had not seen. Playing on the confusion between reality and dream, she abandons the assassin mask to wear that of her “wife”. In a few seconds (from 1’18 to 1’26 in the video), therefore transforms perfectly from one identity to another. This performance was immediately noticed by its director Paul Verhoeven. Seduced by the actress’s talent, he really is in memory of this sequence that will choose her to play Catherine Tramell in its sulphurous Primitive instinct.
Paul Verhoeven: “His face goes from the most total hatred to the most absolute angelism”
During a masterclass held in 2013 during the Berlin Film Festival, Paul Verhoeven looked back on his career and discussed many of his films. Obviously he paused Primitive instinctan erotic crime thriller that stunned and scandalized much of the world when it was released in 1992. In this film, Sharon Stone plays a bisexual writer suspected of murderengaged in a dangerous relationship with Inspector Nick Curran, played by Michael Douglas.
Paul Verhoeven tells how the scene happened Total recall convinced him to campaign for his casting Primitive instinct.
In Total recall, there’s this scene where she gets picked on by her husband. She beats up her rival and the moment Quaid draws his weapon, her face goes from total hatred to absolute angelicism.
That’s Sharon Stone. I mean, it’s really her. It was thanks to this scene that appeared to me later, when Primitive instinct she presented herself as the ideal actress to play Catherine Tramell, a woman capable of switching from violence to charm in an instant. She was considered a grade C actress. Mario Kassar, the producer, and Michael Douglas wanted a grade A actress. They wanted Michelle Pfeiffer. It took me three months to convince them to accept Sharon Stone, as the stars turned down the role.
In fact, it’s all the female stars in Hollywood who refuse one after another Primitive instinct. Too bad for them and so much the better for Sharon Stone who, if she suffered the controversies resulting from her performance, she composed a modern, feminist and powerful anti-heroine. And one of the most fascinating fictional characters in the history of cinema.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
