After we shot Basic Instinct, I got called in to see it. Oh, not that the universe hasn’t given pause to this concept. And you will not, should not, even consider shaming my mother. But I made sure I gave every thought to its complete disaster. Like Michael, I knew where the line was, and he was over it. And he? He was a man from the generation that had done it. A woman who, through arduous undertakings, had learned what life had done to my mother. How could she? Who in God’s name had taken care of her? Who had taught her how a parent should love? However, I was a woman, a grown woman. At the time, I was convinced that my mother didn’t love me. His only response was, “Next time get a mother who loves you.” He said, “Why?” and I said, “We respect ourselves.” The director told me to do something, and I said, “Women don’t act like this anymore.” He isn’t afraid to play the villain he’ll say, “It’s the best part-you can do whatever you want,” and then he laughs that fabulous laugh, which tells you that he knows exactly where the line is. He has been such a profoundly important human rights activist, and I admire him so much.
