After a wealthy heiress is murdered in her beach house, her devastated husband becomes the prime suspect. He hires a lawyer who hasn’t taken a criminal case in years, and as they work together, a complicated romance develops amidst the trial.
Acting
Bridges weaponizes charm; Close's trembling control is masterclass.
Direction
Marquand's final film before Return of the Jedi. Taut, patient, cruel.
Writing
Joe Eszterhas's debut script. The typewriter that launched Basic Instinct.

Director
Richard Marquand
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Eszterhas sold this spec script for $300,000 in 1980, a record that made Hollywood notice him. He wrote it in 13 days.