David O'ConnellKinsey
October 16th 2008 03:34
Bill Condon’s dour and occasionally titillating evocation of the life of Alfred Kinsey, the man responsible for the first comprehensive scientific study of human sexuality, is a wonderful showcase for the formidable Liam Neeson; with his natural charisma and overwhelming physical appearance he’s perfect for Kinsey, the Indiana University professor who rose to prominence in the 40’s and 50’s.
Naturally he becomes a figure of notoriety and controversy, confronting the American public with research and a frank exploration of their inner lives which was bound to make them uncomfortable in a time of strict moral and social taboos.
It was one of his students, Clara McMillen (Laura Linney), known affectionately as ‘Mac’, who was to become the love of his life. The film honestly depicts the state of their open marriage however, with Kinsey not averse to his own sexual experimentation, both for physical pleasure and for promoting the scientific cause. He had partners of both sexes which Condon does not shy away, and over time he becomes a complex figure that I easily empathized with.
Another one of Kinsey’s students remained a steadfast supporter and loyal assistant (in more ways than one!), Clyde Martin (the always impressive Peter Sarsgaard). As his ‘sex project’ intensified, two more assistants joined his elite group, Wardell Pomeroy (Chris O’Donnell) and Paul Gebhard (Timothy Hutton).
As Kinsey’s notoriety grows so does the opposition to his cause, seen as perverted, indecent and without any empirical worth. But he soon finds more than enough subjects willing to take part in his research which would become groundbreaking in retrospect; an extraordinary transformation for a determined man who was once solely interested in the lives of wasps!
Condon assembled an amazing cast but there’s no doubting that all the supporting players belong in the enormous shadow cast by Neeson, whose imposing presence gives Kinsey weight as a complicated and fascinating human being; one not without shortcomings, but he’s portrayed very sympathetically with his determination to charter virgin (!) terrain for the advancement of progressive thought and science.
Linney as his devoted student-turned-wife also gives a fine performance, whilst Condon’s low-key approach to the subject matter attempts to remain true to the history of its subjects, with little sensationalism, though with little flair either – similar to his James Whale biopic Gods and Monsters.
Carter Burwell’s subtly melodic, but somewhat morose score is another expertly layered strand, whilst there’s not a weak link in the supporting cast; perhaps they aren’t written with quite the same depth, but the film needs to cover a lot of ground in 2 hours and inevitably the spotlight must stay on Kinsey as his research culminates in the volumes, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, published in 1948 and 1953 respectively, against all the odds – including the obstruction of puritanical naysayers and a constant threat to funding.
A reluctant ‘hero’ of sorts, Alfred Kinsey was a fascinating and important historical figure of the last century, and this excellent film, released in 2004, certainly does his legacy justice.
P.S Not long before seeing this film I read a book which proves to be a fascinating counterpoint to Condon’s film – T.C. Boyle’s The Inner Circle, which is the first-person account of a fictional colleague of Kinsey’s who becomes part of his “inner circle” of assistants. Boyle is one of my favourite writers and this book one of his finest, and well worth seeking out for fans of the film who crave more insight into Kinsey’s world.
Naturally he becomes a figure of notoriety and controversy, confronting the American public with research and a frank exploration of their inner lives which was bound to make them uncomfortable in a time of strict moral and social taboos.
It was one of his students, Clara McMillen (Laura Linney), known affectionately as ‘Mac’, who was to become the love of his life. The film honestly depicts the state of their open marriage however, with Kinsey not averse to his own sexual experimentation, both for physical pleasure and for promoting the scientific cause. He had partners of both sexes which Condon does not shy away, and over time he becomes a complex figure that I easily empathized with.
Another one of Kinsey’s students remained a steadfast supporter and loyal assistant (in more ways than one!), Clyde Martin (the always impressive Peter Sarsgaard). As his ‘sex project’ intensified, two more assistants joined his elite group, Wardell Pomeroy (Chris O’Donnell) and Paul Gebhard (Timothy Hutton).
Liam Neeson as Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey
As Kinsey’s notoriety grows so does the opposition to his cause, seen as perverted, indecent and without any empirical worth. But he soon finds more than enough subjects willing to take part in his research which would become groundbreaking in retrospect; an extraordinary transformation for a determined man who was once solely interested in the lives of wasps!
Condon assembled an amazing cast but there’s no doubting that all the supporting players belong in the enormous shadow cast by Neeson, whose imposing presence gives Kinsey weight as a complicated and fascinating human being; one not without shortcomings, but he’s portrayed very sympathetically with his determination to charter virgin (!) terrain for the advancement of progressive thought and science.
Kinsey with his core group of researchers: Paul Gebhard (Timothey Hutton), Clyde Martin (Peter Sarsgaard) and Wardell Pomeroy (Chris O'Donnell)
Linney as his devoted student-turned-wife also gives a fine performance, whilst Condon’s low-key approach to the subject matter attempts to remain true to the history of its subjects, with little sensationalism, though with little flair either – similar to his James Whale biopic Gods and Monsters.
Kinsey charms his student, the young Clara (Laura Linney)
Carter Burwell’s subtly melodic, but somewhat morose score is another expertly layered strand, whilst there’s not a weak link in the supporting cast; perhaps they aren’t written with quite the same depth, but the film needs to cover a lot of ground in 2 hours and inevitably the spotlight must stay on Kinsey as his research culminates in the volumes, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, published in 1948 and 1953 respectively, against all the odds – including the obstruction of puritanical naysayers and a constant threat to funding.
A reluctant ‘hero’ of sorts, Alfred Kinsey was a fascinating and important historical figure of the last century, and this excellent film, released in 2004, certainly does his legacy justice.
The married couple in their later years
P.S Not long before seeing this film I read a book which proves to be a fascinating counterpoint to Condon’s film – T.C. Boyle’s The Inner Circle, which is the first-person account of a fictional colleague of Kinsey’s who becomes part of his “inner circle” of assistants. Boyle is one of my favourite writers and this book one of his finest, and well worth seeking out for fans of the film who crave more insight into Kinsey’s world.
The real Dr. Kinsey
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by David O'Connell
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Of his novels, I've actually never read Water Music!! You have to read The Inner Circle, it's fantastic. My other favourites are Budding Prospects and the Tortilla Curtain.
Comment by Cibbuano
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Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
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Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic