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2004
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KINSEY
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STARRING:LIAM
NEESON,LAURA LINNEY,PETER SARSGAARD,CHRIS O'DONNELL,TIMOTHY HUTTON,JOHN
LITHGOW,TIM CURRY,OLIVER PLATT
WRITTEN
BY BILL CONDON
PRODUCED
BY GAIL MUTRUX
DIRECTED
BY BILL CONDON
GENRE:BIOGRAPHY/DRAMA
RATED:AUSTRALIA:MA/UK:15/USA:R
RUNNING
TIME:118 MIN
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Alfred
Kinsey (Liam Neeson) suffered from multiple diseases as a child, his
health improving when he ventured out doors taking in all that nature
had to offer. His father (John Lithgow) was a preacher who talked
against the desires of lust, even going as far to say that the zipper
is the worst invention for sinners as it is easy access to naughty
bits.
Pressured into becoming an engineer by his father, Kinsey goes against
his father's wishes and enters the field of biology, particularly
in the field of gull wasps, an obsession that will fulfill his life
for the next 20 years collecting a million specimens. He becomes a
professor at his university falling in love with student Clara (Laura
Linney) eventually marrying her.
When the students at his university campaign for a sex course, Kinsey
jumps at the chance to teach sex not as "morality posing as fact",
but as an important scientific issue which he believes should be approached
head on. Disappointed with the lack of knowledge his students have
about sex, Kinsey embarks on the biggest sex questionnaire across
America. With his findings he releases a book entitled "Sexual
Behavior in the Human Male" which makes him a national sensation
while prompting a moral outcry from religious groups and unwanted
attention from the press and J. Edgar Hoover.
Writer/director Bill Condon has crafted a very well made biopic which
is straight forward in its depiction of sex (containing both heterosexual
and homosexual themes) and is not a film for people who are squeamish
with the subject, (a scene where Liam Neeson and Peter Sarsgaard lock
lips pushes the boundaries of good taste.)
Liam Neeson proves his talent after a string of mediocre performances
delivering a fearless portrait of a unique individual, a straight
laced man (described by his wife as 'churchy') whose obsession towards
his work creates friction towards his family and friends who he starts
to treat more like lab rates than human beings. Laura Linney continues
to prove why she is one of the best actresses working today (her spot
on impersonation of John Lithgow has to be seen to be believed), while
Peter Sarsgaard, Chris O'Donnell, Timothy Hutton, John Lithgow and
Oliver Platt are excellent in supporting roles. |
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