Kinsey

Let's talk about sex
Let's talk about sex

KINSEY (15)

D: Bill Condon

Fox Searchlight/Myriad/American Zoetrope (Gail Mutrux)

USA 2004

118 mins


Biopic/Drama


W: Bill Condon

DP: Frederick Elmes

Ed: Virginia Katz

Mus: Carter Burwell



Liam Neeson (Alfred Kinsey), Laura Linney (Clara McMillen), Peter Sarsgaard (Clyde Martin), Chris O'Donnell (Wardell Pomeroy), Timothy Hutton (Paul Gebhard), John Lithgow (Alfred Kinsey, Sr.)


A well acted (and arguably well intentioned) but ultimately pretentious biographical drama about the life and career of Alfred Kinsey, a professor who pioneered in the field of sexology, publishing a study entitled Sexual Behaviour in the Human Male, which led on to studies of sexual orientation.

The film follows his life from childhood, a son to a conservative, religious father and through his academic studies, Kinsey studied zoology before turning his attentions to sexual inclinations, ultimately creating the Kinsey papers, which, as the film would have us believe, urged people to reveal their homosexuality.

The performances carry the movie, especially from Liam Neeson and Laura Linney, but there are a couple of scenes which seem difficult to find credible, as well as one in particular which leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Whether his studies were groundbreaking in the emancipation of repressed homosexuality and bohemian sexual lifestyles, or just a nosey old man with some strange perversions, is totally up to the viewer.

6/10


Liam Neeson in Kinsey
Liam Neeson in Kinsey