Watch Fatal Instinct

Fatal Instinct is a 1992 movie directed by Carl Reiner and starring Michael Madsen as Ned Ravine, a bumbling and clueless private investigator who finds himself in the middle of a murder case. Laura Johnson plays detective Lola Cain, Ned's nemesis and love interest, while Antony Hamilton plays Frank Kelbo, the charming and wealthy suspect in the case.

The movie is a parody of classic film noir and crime thrillers, with exaggerated characters, over-the-top action sequences, and plenty of humor. Ned Ravine is a classic anti-hero, a hard-drinking, chain-smoking PI with a heart of gold but no clue how to solve a case. Lola Cain is his foil, a savvy and determined detective who sees through Ned's incompetence but can't resist his charm. Frank Kelbo is the smooth-talking suspect who may or may not be guilty, and who has a complicated romantic history with both Ned and Lola.

The plot of Fatal Instinct revolves around a series of murders that may or may not be connected, and Ned's attempts to solve the case while also dealing with his complicated personal life. Along the way, he enlists the help of his loyal assistant (played by Sean Young), flirts with Lola, and gets into various shenanigans that often end with him getting beaten up or thrown in jail.

The movie is full of hilarious gags and references to classic film noir and crime thrillers, such as The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, and Basic Instinct. There are also plenty of spoofy touches, such as the fact that all the characters seem to have ridiculous names (Ned Ravine, Lola Cain, Frank Kelbo) and that Ned frequently talks to his pet fish, which he believes is giving him helpful advice.

One of the highlights of the movie is the performances by Michael Madsen and Laura Johnson. Madsen is perfectly cast as the hapless and lovable Ned Ravine, and he brings a charm and vulnerability to the role that makes him easy to root for. Laura Johnson is equally good as Lola Cain, a tough and intelligent detective who is both Ned's biggest fan and toughest critic. Antony Hamilton is also excellent as Frank Kelbo, a charming and mysterious suspect who keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

Another standout feature of the movie is its visual style. Director Carl Reiner uses lighting, camera angles, and other techniques to create a classic film noir feel, while also adding his own comedic touches. The result is a movie that looks and feels like a classic crime thriller, but with a self-awareness and humor that keeps it from taking itself too seriously.

Overall, Fatal Instinct is a hilarious and entertaining parody of classic film noir and crime thrillers. With its strong performances, clever script, and stylish visuals, it's a must-see for fans of the genre, as well as anyone who enjoys a good comedy.

Fatal Instinct is a 1992 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.