let's talk about sex

[orangerful]

I just finished watching Kinsey. Having known absolutely nothing about Albert Kinsey or his studies, it was all knew to me. A fantastic cast all around, this movie was just very very interesting. I don't really know how else to describe it. There are no real "bad guys", it's just the same war that we've been fighting for eons now -- morality vs. sexuality. While Kinsey's relentless pursuit of information made people uncomfortable, he did his job well, gathering as much information as he could.



Liam Neeson was just incredible. I actually liked Laura Linney. I saw far too much of Peter Sarsgaard, and I had no idea that Chris O'Donnell, Tim Curry, Oliver Platt, and John Lithgow were all in this movie!

It's just so sad how, as a culture, we tend to hide from discussing these things. I can't even bring myself to do it. Kinsey tried hard to explain it all in scientific terms, to break down the behaviors, the reactions. The movie tries to address the idea of love and what it means, but that's not what the study was about. The scene near the end of the film, where Kinsey is reading letters from people looking for help, and he's just overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by how little we all understand each other, and the abuse that arises from the fears and confusion.

The movie has a few light moments as well. I really had not expected to laugh out loud as much as I did. The absurdity of it all.

I honestly didn't know if I'd make it through this film when I rented it. I knew he studied sexual behavior and that the film was rated R. I guess I'm kind of a prude sometimes, at least compared to some (as you can tell by how vague I'm being in this post). But this movie was SO well done, that I was able to watch it, understand, learn, and agree with it. In fact, I'd even go so far as to say I reccomend it. At least one, watch this movie. I'm not sure I can say that we've come very far since then. I'm sure there are still some people who propogate the myths that Kinsey was trying to debunk. But it is a fascinating story of a man on a mission.

Comments

[sideflip1.livejournal.com]

i didn't read your thoughts yet...i heard about this movie and was planning on seeing it.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

SEE IT! I was shocked by how good it was. It's just done very well. I didn't want it to end, I wanted to know more about his research!

[sideflip1.livejournal.com]

cool, thanks for the recommendation - that's what i wanted to hear/read. :)

[miss-tinkermel.livejournal.com]

I agree it was very well done and acted. My husband and I are pretty open sexually and plan to raise our kids with an appropriate understanding and respect for these matters. Not to the extent of Kinsey with his family (thinking of their dinner conversations! yikes!), but I feel it so important that we all be educated without shame or embarrassment getting in the way, and I really respect his accomplishments, even more so after seeing this movie.
I was a little uncomfortable with his selfishness regarding the "open" marriage idea. To me it seemed obvious that his wife was hurt and uncomfortable about the idea of sharing him but sort of played the submissive role by giving in. I was disappointed by that, and it made me like him a little less throughout the rest of the film. And it got pretty heavy at times which is why I probably won't watch it again, but I definitely agree that it is a movie everyone should see once.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

yeah, the open marriage idea was sort plopped in there and then never spoken of again. I'm not sure if it was just supposed to be that one fling, or if we were supposed to assume that there were more than that. I like to pretend that he just experimented with Peter Sarsgaard (and who could blame him) and then his wife just had fun to get back at him, but after that he never did it again because he saw how upset it made her...but I have no clue if that's true.

Parents are very brave. I don't now what I would do if I was raising a kid, I guess I'd try to make them more aware than I ever was. (at least I knew babies didnt' come from bellybuttons!)