Basic Instinct: Subversive genius or serviceable thriller?

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/fcw44l/basic_instinct_subversive_genius_or_serviceable/

Subversive genius: Written by Joe Eszterhas and directed by cult favourite Paul Verhoven, Basic Instinct is a sharply written and lusciously directed thriller of a policeman (Michael Douglas) that slowly goes insane as he tries to wrap his head around a rock star’s death which constantly points back to a novelist/femme fatale (Sharon Stone). Much in the vein of Jagged Edge and Fatal Attraction, but with the writer-director combo it goes into its own unique style that elevates it into a higher plane of thought that emphasizes the insanity of the officer while also touching on homosexual themes. Controversial critically yet powerful in effect.

Serviceable thriller: Crying, crime, and craziness, and sex and sex and sex and sex. Look at that--they’re in tatters. Written by a guy known for his erotic thrillers being deceptive and twisting and smutty. Directed by a guy pummeling you with excess in edginess to sketch into an overarching style that accompanies thinly drawn caricatures spewing vulgarities. You go, you see, you leave. And all you care about is whatever permeates pop culture in the future because you got your fill.