Review of Kinsey (2004) by Andrew F — 07 Jan 2011

Let's just say there's a reason Bill Condon directed Dreamgirls and is often involved in the production of the Oscars: the guy can turn anything into an elaborate spectacle. Sometimes that works, but it didn't really work here. He overdirected this movie. This movie needed delicate and tender direction, but Condon blew it out of proportion.

The acting was really good. I don't think anyone was great, but there was some good acting on display. The subject matter was really interesting and frank, but I think the movie just needed more subtle direction. Also, the film needed a voice. It was kind of all over the place in terms of what it wanted to do. At times it wanted to be a freedom of speech movie, at other times it was a love story, etc. The movie really needed a better focus and that is the fault of writer-director Bill Condon. Overall, the movie will hold your attention with the incredibly interesting topics in the film and the central performance by Neeson, but it could have been better.