Sliver is a 1993 film based on the Ira Levin novel Sliver about the mysterious occurrences in a privately owned New York highrise apartment building. Phillip Noyce directed the film, from a screenplay by Joe Eszterhas. Because of a major battle with the MPAA (which originally gave the film an NC-17 rating), the filmmakers were forced to make extensive reshoots before release. These reshoots actually necessitated changing the killer's identity.
According to the movie, the tall and narrow sliver building is located at 113 East 38th Street in Manhattan, placing it at 38th Street and Park Avenue. The actual building used in the film is known as Morgan Court,[1] located at 211 Madison Avenue New York, one block west and two blocks south of the fictional address. It was built in the 1980s and has 32 floors. While the movie made use of the building's courtyard, the lobby was a Los Angeles film set.
Synopsis
Phillip Noyce's film version (1993, screenplay by Joe Eszterhas, who also wrote Basic Instinct) deviates considerably from the plot of the book. The film starred Sharon Stone, William Baldwin and Tom Berenger. The movie takes rather a simplistic stance on voyeurism, suggesting that wanting to secretly observe people and thus invading their privacy is part of human nature. Levin's novel, on the other hand, tries to draw a line between man's innate curiosity and pathological and compulsive behaviour patterns.
Carly Norris (Stone), a thirty-five year old book editor, moves into the exclusive Sliver building after the previous tenant falls to her death from her balcony. Shortly after moving in, she crosses paths with the mysterious Zeke (Baldwin). The two embark on a passionate sexual affair. Carly is also sexually pursued by Jack (Berenger), a failed novelist who also wants Carly to read his books.
Soon after Carly moves in, two of her neighbors (Keene Curtis, Polly Walker) die under suspicious circumstances. As she discovers more about Zeke and Jack, she begins to distrust the two men and uncovers shocking secrets about the people who live around her.
MPAA Ratings issues
According to a Showtime special about the film prior to the late-night premier showing of the original NC-17 version, the debate over the NC-17 vs R rating was linked solely to the display of male frontal nudity. However, when Paramount released the unrated version to video there was no male frontal nudity included, though the sex scenes were considerably more graphic.
Home video releases
When originally released on VHS, the film was released in both an R-rated and an unrated version (the original NC-17 version). In March 2006, to coincide with the theatrical release of Sharon Stone's Basic Instinct sequel, Sliver was released on DVD, this time unrated only. There are no special features and although the film was presented theatrically in the 2.35 aspect ratio, the DVD features a matted, 2.10 aspect ratio transfer. The release also contained what some reviewers[citation needed] have noted as an unusual amount of dirt and scratches for a film print that is only a little over a dozen years old, though the casual viewer is unlikely to detect anything errant. In May 2006 an R-rated for-rent-only version was released to rental outlets.
Reception
The film was heavily panned by critics and scores only 17% on Rotten Tomatoes[2]. It was also nominated for 7 Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Actor (William Baldwin), Worst Actress (Sharon Stone), Worst Supporting Actor (Tom Berenger), Worst Supporting Actress (Colleen Camp) and Worst Screenplay, but failed to win any. But with a Domestic gross of $36,300,000 and Foreign gross of $80,000,000, worldwide it managed to gross $116,300,000.
See also
References in other media
- The film was referenced in The Simpsons episode Burns' Heir, as Mr. Burns has cameras in everyone's home in Springfield, and he claims, "I got the idea from that movie 'Sliver', what a delightful romp!"
- The film is referenced in rapper Nas' song "Take It In Blood" from his album It Was Written - "I told the judge snakes Sliver like Sharon Stone, but like Capone I'm thrown"
- The film is also referenced in Das EFX's (1995) song "Real Hip Hop" - "When I get stoned like Sharon from Sliver"
References
- ^ :: New York City Apartments
- ^ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sliver/
External links
