A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Kinsey

Date Viewed: 12/31/04

Details:

Liam Neeson (Alfred Kinsey)

Laura Linney (Clara McMillen)

Chris O'Donnell

Peter Sarsgaard

Timothy Hutton

John Lithgow

Tim Curry

Oliver Platt

Veronica Cartwright

Written & directed by: Bill Condon

Score: +1/2

The Review: 'Tis the season for bio-pics -- Ray Charles, Alexander, Howard Hughes, Bobby Darin, James Barrie, Che Guevara, Spongebob Squarepants (*), -- so it should come as no surprise that uppermost on this genre list for me would be the sole scientist, Kinsey.

This is an excellent dramatic character study of both Alfred Kinsey (Neeson) and his wife & research partner Clara McMillen (Linney). Excluding some curiously structured flashbacks, it covers the time from Kinsey's first teaching appointment at IU as an entomologist, through his courtship and marriage, moving to focus primarily on his research (and methods), then venturing into the muddy waters of publishing of his landmark studies on human sexuality, stopping short of his death.

The supporting cast runs the gamut from puritan & tolerating (Kinsey's parents, well-done by Lithgow & Cartwright), to academic caricature (Curry & Platt), to the crew in the research group (O'Donnell, Sarsgaard & Hutton, among others). The ensemble is wonderful. The degree of character complexity required for this spectrum is substantial, and it is only augmented by Neeson's deeply intense portrayal of Kinsey.

It appears to be an accurate portrayal of the "tenor of the times"; the first two research volumes really scared the status quo of the post-war 40's and 50's, although they were met with intense initial interest. The openness and frank camaraderie of the Kinsey research team, family and spouses was not surprising, in retrospect, but unforeseen -- the atmosphere is reminiscent of the community surrounding Jubal Harshaw as described in Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land.

It would be an interesting speculation about what would be a research project today that would create such interest and ire? Perhaps a statistical study of religions beliefs (not as private, but no less incendiary)? Perhaps a detailed cluster analysis of the American political spectrum with the finding that there are more colors to the spectrum than red & blue? I think not, but suggestions are solicited.

For additional information about the Kinsey Institute and its commentary on this film (generally positive), see either their movie FAQ, or their chronology.

Among the more interesting outcomes not covered by the movie was the resolution of the federal case against importation of alleged pornographic and erotic materials, decided in favor of the Kinsey Institute the year after Kinsey's death. And one movie "error," corrected by the Institute web-page, is the decision by IU whether to fund Kinsey's research -- which was actually strongly affirmative.

(2-Jan-05)

(*footnote): Ray Charles (Ray), Alexander (ditto), Howard Hughes (The Aviator), Bobby Darin (Beyond the Sea), James Barrie (Finding Neverland), and Che Guevara (The Motorcycle Diaries).

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