The man who Sharon stoned

Sharon Stone returned to the cineplexes this week in Basic Instinct 2, with a new co-star this time: British actor David Morressey.

Sharon Stone returned to the cineplexes this week in Basic Instinct 2, with a new co-star this time: British actor David Morressey. The stage, film and TV actor saw the film as an opportunity to be recognised in Hollywood. HT City caught up with Morressey in an exclusive interview.

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How was it playing the psychiatrist in Basic Instinct 2?

It was tough character because he is both locked up and quite arrogant. His arrogance is his downfall. He’s not very communicative, given his job, which is hard for a lead actor to pull off. Also, I had to take my clothes off.

Does Sharon Stone uncross her legs again?

I do the crossing and uncrossing this time! There is more nudity for me than for her in this film.

When so many actors turned down the film, what made you accept it?

I knew director Michael Caton-Jones’s work and liked him. I read the script of Basic Instinct 2 and liked it. I met Sharon and we got on. Then I was offered the part. I was a fan of the first film but had not watched it repeatedly. I live in London, so the film was a draw to have a profile in Hollywood. And it seems to be a gamble that paid off for me — I have received other projects in Hollywood. I am just finishing The Reaping with Hilary Swank. The film is directed by Stephen Hopkins and I play an American in it.

Yes, because Sharon wanted to keep Catherine Tramell’s character exactly the same. A characters needs to go through change in a film, which my character could do.

The reactions to the film have been mixed…

Not mixed, they were bad. People have been very critical of the film, of Sharon and of me. The reactions didn’t surprise me, though. People felt it was not in good taste. Also it was tough to live up to the first film. We thought we were being humorous (like locating my office in a phallic shaped building), but we were taken too seriously. It was upsetting, but you move on.

Are you familiar with Indian films?

Jimmy Mistry is a friend. I loved his East Is East. I also enjoyed Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding and Pather Panchali very much.