Review of Kinsey (2004) by Dfw F — 15 Nov 2009

Kinsey is a biologist and a sex researcher. He releases reports about sexual behavior of American people -1950s. He interviews 18,000 people to take sex histories. It is sensational and controversial because it is taboo to talk about sex.

And people have little knowledge of it. No knowledge makes them worry and feel guilty. Actually, he and his wife lose their virginity after their marriage, but it is unsuccessful. From the bad experience, and as he consults with his students to give them advice about sexual problems, he gets interested in revealing people's sexual behavior.

He devotes his life to sex research. His academic curiosity is amazing. He supports diversity and individualism. He claims there are common and rare sexual behaviors, but we shouldn't categorize it into the two groups, normal and abnormal.

He influences a lot of people. Especially, he changed the view of homosexuality and bi sexuality. He is an influential figure who is changed the landscape of the view on human sexuality. The film tries to memorialize him as a social pioneer-it doesn't shy away from (nor does it condemn) his breaches of ethical standards, such as encouraging intramural sexual activities among his staff and their wives.

Throughout the movie all things sexual are treated comically and seriously, trivially and ponderously, casually and obsessively. But only fleetingly is sex treated erotically. The film is graphic about sex, but in a textbook sort of way, not a pornographic way.

And humor may be the film's saving grace. The story could become a story of self-importance that plagues most film biographies; Condon refuses to let the film become too heavy-handed. Some of the humor is a bit obvious.

Great Cinematography the film is really beautifully constructed and filmed. Director gives us a detailed, fascinating study of the life of famed sex researcher Alfred Kinsey. What would on surface seem unfilmable is done with great sensitivity and honesty.

Great movie 5 stars.