In the mid-’90s, Kim Basinger was freshly wedded to actor Alec Baldwin and had recently welcomed their daughter Ireland into the world. At this time, her agent from William Morris Agency presented her with the script for “L.A. Confidential”. Tired of embodying the roles that characterized her, such as a Bond girl in “Never Say Never Again”, a New York gallery owner in the sensual classic “9½ Weeks”, and the barefoot Vicki Vale running through Gotham City streets in Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman”, she was seeking new opportunities.
She remembers saying, ‘Well, I don’t feel inclined to act as if I were a prostitute. Absolutely not. As a mother, it’s out of the question for me,'” he said.
However, her representative didn’t give up and eventually convinced her to meet Curtis Hanson at 3 p.m. at the Formosa in West Hollywood. The parking lot was deserted, and she circled around considering the spaces marked with names of legendary Hollywood figures before deciding on the one designated for Humphrey Bogart. Upon meeting Hanson, he produced a stack of large posters featuring noir films from the 1940s starring Robert Mitchum and Barbara Stanwyck. Basinger ended the encounter doubtful about the project.
Subsequently, she flipped through the script penned by Hanson and Brian Helgeland. Firstly, she read it backwards to trace the reversal of the character, Lynn Bracken, a classic femme fatale. Then, she re-read it normally from start to finish.
There are certain moments in life when a script feels so personal that you find yourself yearning to utter those lines,” she explains. “And so, I agreed to take on the role, which led me to bring my baby to set and place her on a picnic blanket beside Russell Crowe as he played around in the grass.
Basinger shares these tales with me over two phone conversations that span three hours, from her house tucked amidst the mountains between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley. She hasn’t been on-screen since 2017’s “Fifty Shades Darker,” where she portrayed a character known as Mrs. Robinson, who manipulated Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) when he was younger. However, she’s not retired; instead, she’s choosy and often turns down scripts that she finds subpar.
Currently, I’m dedicated to championing global animal welfare initiatives. On this tranquil February afternoon, my shared abode with my partner Mitch Stone, a seasoned hairstylist, resonates only with the barks of our two rescued canine companions. My daughter Holland, who is 18 months old, and I, had just bid farewell after spending a 10-day visit at Grandma’s place in Oregon.
She admits to feeling slightly sad. Regarding her granddaughter, she affectionately refers to her as her ‘tiny, tiny, little angel’.
3 decades ago, I found myself captivated by the 70th Academy Awards held on March 23, 1998. On that night, the esteemed title of Best Supporting Actress was bestowed upon the radiant and talented Barbara Basinger. This victory came amidst stiff competition, with Gloria Stuart, the sentimental favorite from “Titanic,” being a strong contender. Basinger’s win challenged the long-held stereotype that beauty queens were not taken seriously as actresses.
Much like Marilyn Monroe before her and Demi Moore and Pamela Anderson after, Basinger – hailing from Georgia – defied the limitations placed upon her by her striking looks and the tabloid fodder of her personal life (which included the likes of Alec Baldwin, Prince, Jon Peters, and Richard Gere). She demonstrated that she was more than deserving of a chance to tackle the rich, substantial roles that came her way.
Peters remarks that when someone is exceptionally attractive, beyond just being beautiful, like Kim, Hollywood often fails to recognize their true worth.
Michael Keaton, who acted alongside Basinger in “Batman,” shares this view, stating that her talents have sometimes been underestimated due to her physical appearance.
When I’m admired for my looks, it seems my skills are overlooked,” I remark. “Yet, those in the know, truly appreciate her immense talents.
It took almost twenty years for the actress to escape the limitations that came with her career. “Upon arriving in this industry,” she explains, “you’re considered a newcomer or a novice. However, it feels like everyone is confined within certain boundaries, including myself.
Later on, we discuss one of the challenges she faces while producing R-rated films with an erotic theme, a genre in which she played a significant role but has almost disappeared from the scene.
Basinger notes that shooting a romantic scene can be incredibly challenging, contrary to what one might initially assume. It’s not merely about lying down covered in baby oil; instead, it can truly test your patience and nerves.
1983’s “Never Say Never Again” wasn’t Basinger’s debut film, that honor belongs to the Western movie “Hard Country”. However, her involvement with the spy franchise significantly boosted her career, a feat not many films can achieve. Similar to “L.A. Confidential”, she initially declined the offer to star opposite Sean Connery in his last performance as 007.
She expressed that she never considered herself in the role of a ‘Bond girl.’ Upon seeing other female characters, she admits to thinking, ‘Wow, I don’t possess that quality.’ Growing up, she was more of a tomboy.”
Or, more casually:
“She didn’t see herself as a Bond-type woman. When she saw those ladies on screen, she thought, ‘I don’t have what they’ve got!’ She was more of a tomboy while growing up.
After the movie’s premiere, she embraced the stereotype by posing naked for Playboy, thereby solidifying her image as the epitome of a glamorous pin-up girl.
The directors mentioned they had seen my photos in Vogue, but I corrected them, saying ‘I don’t believe so, it was actually Playboy where your eyes fell on my image,'” she said with a mischievous chuckle.
unexpectedly, a group of top filmmakers expressed interest in working with her. Among them were Barry Levinson, who featured her alongside Robert Redford in the sports drama “The Natural,” and Adrian Lyne, who passionately asked her to take the lead in the erotic film “9 1/2 Weeks.
She characterizes her connection with Lyne as a “love-hate” dynamic, but admits that she was deeply infatuated with him. Moreover, she notes that he’s been fearless in battling censorship throughout his life, which is a constant battle.
The character of a woman venturing into a potentially risky BDSM relationship caused apprehension within her, not due to its explicit nature, but rather the potential emotional strain it might bring. She consented to take on this role only if Lyne promised to film in sequence, and he agreed.
Basinger expressed her desire to encounter Mickey Rourke in the grocery store shown in the movie. Prior to that, she had no intention of greeting or conversing with him on set. This wasn’t due to any rumors about our alleged animosity you may have read online. I admired him deeply and recognized his exceptional acting skills. However, my first real encounter with him was through the film, and I never interacted with him in person outside of that.
She thinks it’s impossible to create – or re-create – the 1986 movie now. However, Basinger, who considers her views on sex in films as more “European” rather than “conservative” American, has no second thoughts about it.
She remarks that due to ‘9 1/2 Weeks,’ I’ve been fortunate enough to gain some incredibly devoted fans,” Halina Reijn stated (with last year’s “Babygirl,” featuring Nicole Kidman, being partially influenced by this film).
A debate unfolding during this awards season revolves around the role of intimacy coordinators, with some questioning whether they should be mandatory for directors. Actress Mikey Madison from the series “Anora” caused a stir by choosing not to work with one while filming Sean Baker’s graphic movie. Basinger finds the concept unnecessary.
She expresses that it’s hard to envision someone approaching her and asking, ‘May I touch you here?’ That’s essentially another person in the room. If we can figure things out or not, well, that’s the situation,” she states. “I don’t understand the necessity for closely monitored meetings.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to admit, the Hollywood I knew wasn’t always pure. The production of “L.A. Confidential,” which is back in the spotlight ahead of this year’s Oscars, has brought some troubling stories to light. Recently, Guy Pearce, who played a detective in that film, shared his experience of feeling “targeted” by Kevin Spacey on set. (Spacey has refuted these claims, calling for Pearce to “grow up.”)
For her part, Basinger says she can neither corroborate nor deny Pearce’s account.
She explains, “I’d never have had any awareness of such an activity whatsoever. I worked extremely closely with Russell Crowe, and almost as closely with Guy Pearce. However, in all honesty, I can’t honestly recall ever seeing Kevin or Guy on set. But I must say, Guy is a truly kind individual. I’ve shared meals with Kevin years ago, once with a very famous female figure from the music industry. Yet, beyond that encounter, I’m not familiar with Kevin Spacey.
There’s a reason that Basinger wasn’t privy to the “L.A. Confidential” goings-on.
She admits that it was an exclusive group dominated by men, but she had a close friendship with Curtis – both on set and off.
In 2000, Hanson, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2016 due to natural causes, had been deeply inspired by Basinger. He endeavored to convince her to take on the female lead role opposite Michael Douglas in his comedy-drama “Wonder Boys.” However, the part eventually went to Frances McDormand.
She admits that she found it impossible due to her exhaustion, both physically and mentally. She spent a considerable amount of time healing emotionally following her experience in ‘I Dreamed of Africa’, the movie which received negative criticism upon its release in 1998. In her own words, it was an overwhelming shock to her system.
In 2001, Hanson made another attempt, inviting Basinger to portray Eminem’s mother in his semi-autobiographical movie debut titled “8 Mile”. Following her separation with Baldwin, she was eager for a fresh start, both personally and professionally. At that moment, she was residing in New York City, where Hanson delivered the script for the project, then called “Untitled Detroit Project”.
In a different phraseology: “I recall a particular sentence where a character, the mother, asks, ‘Would you prefer some disrespectful cereal or some disrespectful eggs.’ Then, I phoned Curtis. He answered, and without saying hello, I said, ‘If you’ll alter it to ‘disrespectful pancakes,’ I’ll take on the film,’ she added, laughing.
When it comes to collaborating with an actor who was then at the peak of his international fame and was none other than Eminem, whose true identity is Marshall Mathers III, she affirms that he not only met the challenge but surpassed expectations.
During our intense, challenging scenes, I recall saying, ‘This is just a film; we’re only acting, but we must give it our all. Let’s dive into it. I’m going to say things that will be difficult and they’ll come out of my mouth,’ she recalls about portraying the abusive mother character. She describes their collaboration as similar to two boxers in a ring. “What was remarkable was working with someone so gifted, who I thought would have a big ego, but instead had some of the kindest people around him. Marshall is truly one-of-a-kind,” she adds.
In our chats, Basinger is cautious with her speech and guarded regarding her personal matters. This interview marks a rare occasion in years that she’s speaking publicly. When discussing “Batman,” she delicately avoids questions about Prince (who handled the soundtrack). In a soft voice, she expresses, “I prefer not to discuss anyone, and certainly him being deceased. He had a knack for humor, understanding the film’s comedic aspects perfectly.
Regarding Baldwin, she seems more open about her life. This might be unexpected, considering that the ex-pair, famously known for their roles in “The Marrying Man” and “The Getaway,” were often featured in tabloids due to their tumultuous marriage. Notably, Baldwin shares custody of Ireland with Basinger, but she also has seven other children with her current spouse, Hilaria Baldwin.
In my perspective as a movie critic, I can attest that Alec and I maintain a strong bond. Respect for his current standing in life and his family is something I hold dear. Despite our infrequent holiday celebrations or face-to-face encounters, we keep in touch through conversations. He’ll occasionally call me, and our connection is warm and genuinely friendly.
In many aspects, I’d describe it as a loving relationship, primarily because we share a daughter. I only wish the best for him, and that’s exactly what I hope for him. Recently, he’s faced some challenging times, referenced in the trial for involuntary manslaughter following the tragic accident on the set of “Rust.” (The case was ultimately dismissed.) However, it appears Hilaria has admirably navigated those difficulties. Here’s to her strength!
While Baldwin openly shares aspects of his personal life through the new TLC series “The Baldwins”, Basinger prefers to keep a low profile and avoid the limelight.
She explains, “Your anonymity is much like a helium balloon that floats away from you, never to return.” She experienced this at a young age. “Traveling on airplanes across the globe and finding strangers waiting in your hotel rooms, accompanied by bodyguards, police, and various others left me bewildered,” she continues. “I was simply dumbfounded.
Reflecting on my cinematic experiences, I must say that the tale of Sandra Bullock’s life journey is as captivating as her performances on screen. In the late ’80s, she made a bold move by investing $20 million to purchase a small town in Georgia with aspirations of transforming it into a tourist magnet and creative hub. However, this venture, much like a flawed script, failed to deliver its intended charm, leaving behind a strain in relationships with some family members who were involved in the endeavor. This financial misadventure, it seems, unwittingly served as a muse for the critically acclaimed series “Schitt’s Creek,” as per Eugene Levy, the show’s star. Ironically, Sandra Bullock remained blissfully unaware of this connection to the quirky sitcom.
She remarks with a laugh, ‘Can you believe it? I’m a fan of that series! It provides great inspiration, if I do say so myself.’ She also adds, ‘If only I could receive royalties from it.’
Setting jesting remarks aside, she prefers to be recognized for her extensive portfolio of work, encompassing classic comedies like “Blind Date” starring Bruce Willis and the sequel “Wayne’s World 2.”
To her, acting is more than a job. It’s therapy.
She states, “That’s the one thing that has helped me stay afloat – emotionally, physically, in every way possible. It gives me the motivation to keep pushing forward. I cherish the time between ‘Action’ and ‘Cut.’
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2025-02-27 19:49