Hey folks, Harry here with a brief, yet sterling look at KINSEY, the latest film from super-genius, Bill Condon. Can't wait to see this one, my feelings are that this'll be one of the highlights of the Fall (Autumn for those in the cheap seats) and will definitely see some award and critical praises. Here ya go...
Kinsey
This film came off as being very well-made, with an exceptional talent roster, about a true story that’s extremely intriguing and interesting. Having said that I don’t know where it’s home will be, I don’t think the arthouse group will truly embrace it, and it’s certainly not a popcorn film.
Liam Neeson plays the inscrutable Dr. Kinsey, who the film quickly sets up as a somewhat quirky and sheltered fellow, though not naive, and this portrayal is really conveyed well by Neeson. If you don’t know anything about the real-life doctor, after studying the habits of a particular species of wasp for several years of his life, he discovers while teaching at a college that his students are totally unprepared for their sexual awakenings, and what’s worse is they believe that all of their urges are necessarily perverted. Kinsey wants to rectify these problems, both of the lack of knowledge and the often ridiculous sense of guilt. So he published two volumes, dealing with the sexuality of the sexes.
I should mention here that I did spend several months studying psychoanalysis at college myself, so personally I found the whole discourse fascinating, obviously others may not. The initial crux of the film is to be a witness as Kinsey and his myrmidons travel around the country collating data, which involves interviewing millions of Americans and asking them detailed questions about their sex lives, and the ensuing scenes range from disturbing to hilarious. The range of questions and answers and the way they are presented makes for much entertainment. But the real soul of the film is the personal story of course.
Kinsey’s life and the lives of those around him are turned upside-down by his discoveries, the film never sinks into cliché or sentimentality though. Backing up the human element is an incredible cast, with Laura Linney on her very finest form as Kinsey’s wife, and John Lithgow as his father; having laughed at this guy through several seasons of Third Rock, the actor in him is given a real chance to shine here in a dramatic role, which he pulls off with aplomb. Also starring are Tim Curry, Chris O’Donnell, and Peter Saarsgard, all admirable. What should have been the high point of his career ends up almost killing him, and when the female volume is published the film reaches its nadir. This film, from the director of ‘Gods and Monsters’ is well worth a look.
David
