"
Gorillas
in the Mist" meets "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. "
Dr.
Ethan Powell is an anthropologist who is more comfortable around
gorillas then people. He disappears into the jungle for two-years,
and when park rangers find him he goes on a killing rampage. They
negotiate his release from an African prison to American custody.
Powell no longer speaks and behaves like an animal. It is up to
the young psychologist, Caulder, to try to get him to speak and
deliver an evaluation that will determine Powell's future. Early
word on the film had it compared to "Silence of the Lambs." However,
that is not so. INSTINCT has more in common with "One Flew Over
the Cuckoos Nest." Hopkins and Gooding go head-to-head in a battle
of wits. Complicating Caulder's evaluation of the doctor is the
institution they must deal with. Like "Cuckoos Nest," the story
examines the ills of humanity against the triumph of the human spirit.
Powell forces Caulder to take his journey into the "heart of darkness"
and face the "illusions" of modern society. Hopkins sells an emotionally
complex character to the audience. Powell is a father, scientist,
a man who has lived among gorillas, and has now rejected society.
Hopkins takes the audience through the gamut of his emotional roller
coaster ride. He is a modern day prophet with one disciple - Gooding.
In making Caulder a believer hopefully he gives the audience the
opportunity to question their own illusions. Turteltaub puts the
actors through the paces and captures some uniquely intense moments.
He creates this emotional give-&-take that adds a sense of mystery
and suspense in relation to the events that pushed Powell over the
edge. When Powell comes in contact with the gorillas, the director
captures a sense of wonder and innocense. Turteltaub juggles many
emotional issues and weaves them into this powerful confrontation
between intelligent minds. He also does a delightful job of creating
the prison setting as a visual metaphor for the jungle. This time
it is Caulder who is out of his element as he moves amongst the
"animals." INSTINCT is a compelling modern fable that addresses
our "civilized" perceptions of society. Like any good art, INSTINCT
offers audiences the opportunity to discuss issues presented under
the guise of simple entertainment. More then just simple questions
of environmental conservation, INSTINCT puts the nature of man's
relationship to the beast under the microscope. They guarantee that
this persuasive drama stays with you long after you have left the
theater.
CREW: Director - Jon Turteltaub; Based on the novel Ishmale
by Daniel Quinn; Screenplay - Gerald
Di Pego; Producers - Barbara Boyle & Michael Taylor; Executive
Porducers - Gail Katz and Wolfgang Peterson; Cinematographer
- Philippe Rousselot; Score - Danny Elfman; Production Designer
- Garreth Stover; Special Effects Supervisor for Dream Quest
Images - Jeff Burks; Special Effects - Dream Quest Images
& Stan Winston Studios. CAST: Dr. Ethan Powell - Anthony Hopkins;
Theo Caulder - Cuba Gooding Jr.; Ben Hillard - Donald Sutherland;
Lynn Powell - Maura Tierney; Guard Decks - John Ashton; Dr.
Murray - George Dzundza.
MOVIES
Dr.
Ethan Powell is an anthropologist who is more comfortable around
gorillas then people. He disappears into the jungle for two-years,
and when park rangers find him he goes on a killing rampage. They
negotiate his release from an African prison to American custody.
Powell no longer speaks and behaves like an animal. It is up to
the young psychologist, Caulder, to try to get him to speak and
deliver an evaluation that will determine Powell's future. Early
word on the film had it compared to "Silence of the Lambs." However,
that is not so. INSTINCT has more in common with "One Flew Over
the Cuckoos Nest." Hopkins and Gooding go head-to-head in a battle
of wits. Complicating Caulder's evaluation of the doctor is the
institution they must deal with. Like "Cuckoos Nest," the story
examines the ills of humanity against the triumph of the human spirit.
Powell forces Caulder to take his journey into the "heart of darkness"
and face the "illusions" of modern society. Hopkins sells an emotionally
complex character to the audience. Powell is a father, scientist,
a man who has lived among gorillas, and has now rejected society.
Hopkins takes the audience through the gamut of his emotional roller
coaster ride. He is a modern day prophet with one disciple - Gooding.
In making Caulder a believer hopefully he gives the audience the
opportunity to question their own illusions. Turteltaub puts the
actors through the paces and captures some uniquely intense moments.
He creates this emotional give-&-take that adds a sense of mystery
and suspense in relation to the events that pushed Powell over the
edge. When Powell comes in contact with the gorillas, the director
captures a sense of wonder and innocense. Turteltaub juggles many
emotional issues and weaves them into this powerful confrontation
between intelligent minds. He also does a delightful job of creating
the prison setting as a visual metaphor for the jungle. This time
it is Caulder who is out of his element as he moves amongst the
"animals." INSTINCT is a compelling modern fable that addresses
our "civilized" perceptions of society. Like any good art, INSTINCT
offers audiences the opportunity to discuss issues presented under
the guise of simple entertainment. More then just simple questions
of environmental conservation, INSTINCT puts the nature of man's
relationship to the beast under the microscope. They guarantee that
this persuasive drama stays with you long after you have left the
theater.
