By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.375
Director: Bill Condon
Starring: Laura Linney | Liam Neeson | Peter Sarsgaard
Country: united_states
Year: 2004
Running time: 118
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362269/combined
Diane says: “Uncontroversial movie about a controversial subject. In quality very much like SEABISCUIT. 1 cat.”
Chris replies: “Which is good news, I guess, if you liked SEABISCUIT…
“Liam Neeson is fine as the good doctor (if only Ian McKellen was a little younger to play the part), Laura Linney is insightful and game as his wife, but the revelation is Peter Sarsgaard as Kinsey’s primary assistant. Sensitive and softer that I’ve ever seen him before, yet not a caricature, he broadens his already impressive range KINSEY: Biopic of sex-researcher Alfred Kinsey, as directed by Bill Condon. Liam Neeson is fine as the good doctor (if only Ian McKellen was a little younger to play the part), Laura Linney is insightful and game as his wife, but the revelation is Peter Sarsgaard as Kinsey’s primary assistant. Sensitive and softer that I’ve ever seen him before, yet not a caricature, he broadens his already impressive range with this well-executed role.
“Condon says he wanted to make something that resembled a Hollywood film from the time this is set (mainly the ’30s through the ’50s). While that’s not a bad idea, he often ends up playing to those conventions rather than subverting them. And what the hell is smarmy Chris O’Donnell doing in this otherwise intelligent cast? Kudos to John Lithgow in an unlikely minor role as Kinsey’s preacher father, and see if you can recognize the forever chameleonic Lynn Redgrave. At least it’s not a bowdlerization on the order of A BEAUTIFUL MIND, and it concludes thoughtfully. But I’d rather watch GODS AND MONSTERS again, with that film, Condon made glorious, transcendent camp worthy of his subject’s art. This one merely skips along the tried-and-true biopic road. 3 cats”
Michael says: “I was pleasantly surprised by KINSEY, a biopic (not my favorite genre) that flirts with the cliche-ridden, Hollywood style, but in my opinion, successfully skirts it. I’m not sure why I was so leary of KINSEY. It was directed by Bill Condon, whose directorial debut, GODS AND MONSTERS was a rousing Chlotrudis success. I’m not a huge fan of star Liam Neeson, who I find somewhat bland, but I am a fan of supporting actors Peter Sarsgaard and Laura Linney. Perhaps it was the decidedly negative review from fellow-member Diane Young. I respect Diane’s opinion a great deal, but I must remember that we often don’t agree. Upon Chris’ urgings that he enjoyed KINSEY a great deal, I took the plunge.
“KINSEY follows a fairly traditional path through the biopic. Brief scenes of childhood and adolescence to set up the meat of the story. The film slows down as Alfred Kinsey is starting his career as a professor of biology in Indiana during the 1920’s and 30’s. It is here that he meets the student who will eventually be his wife (played with a playful combination of buttoned-up conservatism and free-thinking liberalism by Laura Linney.) Things speed up a bit as Kinsey’s success studying gall wasps reaps modest success. When he and his wife have difficulty navigating an embarrassing sexual dysfunction (for the time), Kinsey realizes that there has been next to no authentic, scientific research of human sexuality. This sets up the remainder of the film, and Kinsey’s life, devoted to his research and subsequent publication on the groundbreaking works, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female.
“The first third of KINSEY is outstanding. Neeson is filled with an energy and excitement in the role that I have rarely seen from him. Laura Linney is superb as his wife and is on my short list of Best Actress nominees. Peter Sarsgaard impresses once again (and not just because he’s both adorable and naked in this film) as the first student Kinsey enlists to assist him in his research. The second third of the film keeps the momentum going, as the research takes over and the first few bumps start to appear in his life. It is in the final third that KINSEY comes close to being derailed, as the inevitable dramatic crises rear their collective heads and the music makes sure we recognize this.
“And herein is the root of my next assertion: Musical scores are going to be the downfall of independent film. More and more I have noticed independent films of a certain budget (especially from established, or previously awarded directors, like Condon) employing musical scores like sledgehammers… or at least their richer siblings in Hollywood. Are even independent filmmakers forgetting that some audiences don’t need scores to tell us how we should be feeling? Where has all the subtlety gone? Of course, just when you think KINSEY is a lost cause, going out on a note of disappointment after a stunning start, Condon manages to snatch it back from the edge, winding things down to a lovely, quiet finale. Kudos to Condon as well for choosing the moment to end his film… not continuing on to Kinsey’s death.
“While not a stellar film, I found it to be a strong example of Condon’s strength as a filmmaker/writer. Aided by strong performances, KINSEY is definitely a worthwhile experience. Look for at least two nominations from me. Waffling between 3 1/2 and 4 cats… I think I will err on the side of conservatism for a change and go with 3 1/2.”
Bruce says: “Alfred Kinsey (Liam Neeson) was a driven man. KINSEY suggests that the source of his drive had a lot to do with his domineering father (John Lithgow) who was a preacher. Growing up Alfred spent a great amount of time outdoors which taught him to rely on his own judgment. Instead of following his father’s desires to go into the ministry, Alfred chose science. Initially, he studied the gall wasp collecting over one million specimens. During his college years, Alfred also thought a lot about sex, using thoughts about the Sermon on the Mount, putting his testicles in cold water and a mother’s pure love to direct his energies elsewhere or, at minimum, to get rid of his erections.
“One of his students, Clara McMillen (Laura Linney) was quite forward in attracting Alfred’s interest. They fell in love, but on their wedding night sex became a problem in their relationship. They went to a doctor for help and advice. The source of the problem was identified and Clara received a simple medical procedure to help her more easily adjust to penetration. Alfred began to wonder how many other couples had similar problems or other types of problems that no one ever discussed. The university had a hygiene course which featured lectures the content of which a normal twelve year old should know, according to Alfred. The hygiene professor also showed a film that was designed to caution students away from sexual acts rather than help them understand sexuality. It was REEFER MADNESS with a focus on sex. Alfred decided it was time to study human sexuality.
“Alfred convinced the president of the university that he should study human sexuality and the Kinsey Institute was born. Alfred hand-picked some students to be his assistants and three of them worked with him for many years. Clyde Martin (Peter Sarsgaard) was closest to Alfred. A self proclaimed bi-sexual he fascinated Alfred with thoughts that a human being can have sex with both genders. Wardell Pomeroy (Chris O’Donnell) and Paul Gebhard (Timothy Hutton) were the other two assistants.
“KINSEY does a very good job in helping the viewer to understand its subject and how his life evolved. KINSEY also tracks America’s changing views on sexuality, much of which has to do with the pioneering of Alfred Kinsey himself. Liam Neeson does an admirable job creating an Alfred who is wildly curious about life yet is hopelessly oblivious to many emotional issues which arise among his family and co-workers. Laura Linney is a marvelously nuanced Clara, a woman who has sacrificed too much for love yet, given the option, would probably choose the same path all over again. Peter Sarsgaard (GARDEN STATE, SHATTERED
GLASS, BOYS DON’T CRY) delivers another terrific performance in a very tricky role. Chris O’Donnell appears over his head among actors who are on a different professional level. Lynn Redgrave has a very lovely cameo as a lesbian who credits Kinsey as the person who made her feel comfortable about her sexuality. I couldn’t help thinking of her sister in IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK playing a lesbian widow who had to sit and watch as her partner’s relatives, legal heirs to the estate, ransacked her home and belongings after the funeral.
“Bill Condon mixes things up visually and stylistically. To graphically illustrate how the first Kinsey Report was developed, a map of the United States is populated with talking heads answering questions about their sexual practices. Diversions such as this help the viewer maintain interest in the storytelling which otherwise might end up as just another birth-to-death biopic. On the down side, some of the posturing by Kinsey, his supporters, and opponents seems stilted and cartoon like, perhaps a reflection of the times, nonetheless unengaging.
“For me, KINSEY has a personal relevance. In 1968, shortly before I moved to New York, a friend in Chicago asked if I would be interested in participating in a study. Having said ‘Yes,’ I soon found myself sitting across from an associate from the Kinsey Institute. Like the film, the interviewer did try to put me at ease when I arrived; unlike the film, the interviewer seemed somewhat judgmental about my sexual history. To my surprise I felt quite unapologetic. From that point on, although I never felt particular guilt or remorse about what I did behind closed doors, I certainly refrained from sharing the information. 4.5 cats”
Carolyn says: “A biopic about the famous sex researcher Alfred Kinsey. It tells about his upbringing in a stiflingly religious household and the squashing of any deviant tendencies. Though his father wants him to be a preacher, Kinsey goes to college and on to get his Ph. D. in biology (gall wasps). He meets Mack and they fall in love. At the university, he becomes interested in learning about sex behavior, what we think people do and what they actually do. The story of Kinsey’s life is spliced with his trained researchers conducting sex surveys, first of Kinsey and his wife and later of people across the country. The studies are sometimes used to highlight aspects of Kinsey’s life. I really enjoyed the movie. While the story skipped over many things and drew out the latter part of his life a little too long, I remained interested. The acting was well done – Liam Neeson was amazing for the first half, but flattened out a bit toward the end. 4.5 cats”