How is the male gaze portrayed in the films Basic Instinct (1992, Verhoeven) and Vertigo (1958, Hitchcock) and how has this changed over time? 

Paul Verhoeven’s 1992 film Basic Instinct and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 film Vertigo both explore the subjection of women in film. Both films are recognised for their representation of the femme fatale and the theme of the male gaze while the women are massively objectified in both films. These films have been chosen because of the contrast in the perception of the role of women in different time periods and how the trope has developed showing how powerful the role of women really is. Basic instinct follows a detective, Nick Curran as he investigates the murder of a rockstar-the “villain” of the film- Catherine Tramell was sleeping with the rockstar therefore leading her to be the main suspect-also leading to curran and Tramell’s intense relationship. Vertigo follows another detective, “Scottie” who has a fear of heights, who is hired to help prevent the suicide of his friend’s wife. “scottie” ends up falling for the women and becoming dangerously obsessed with her.