Kinsey

It is said that films based on real events, especially biographical films, are boring and often made out of duty or calculation. Kinsey shows that things can be done differently. The prerequisite is a strong subject, a quality screenplay, and casting. Kinsey does not deviate from reality in anything essential, and yet it occasionally reaches the grounds of pure comedy - thus, former views on human sexuality may seem absurd to us. In the first scene, a respectable older gentleman vehemently opposes the godless novelty - zippers on trousers that allow godless youth to satisfy their desires anywhere and anytime, which will surely lead our civilization to decline in a short time. The character Kinsey opened the forbidden 13th chamber of knowledge of human sexuality and showed us who we really are, not how narrow-minded interpreters of social morals and religious activists would like to see us. Kinsey used the scientific method of exploration where ignorance, hypocrisy, prejudice, and nonsensical taboos prevailed. He did not corrupt society; he just held up a mirror to it. His work significantly influenced the social atmosphere and the rise of the sexual revolution, as well as women's emancipation. His scientific findings were in some cases adjusted, but no one was able to challenge their fundamental insights. The film is a litmus test of tolerance and open-mindedness. I noticed that some enthusiastic fans of Californication (but not only them) and its promiscuity, emotional emptiness, and shallowness suddenly have great difficulties with Kinsey's sexual openness. The film provided a great acting opportunity for both Liam Neeson and Laura Linney, which they fully utilized. Overall impression: 95%. (21.10.2013)

I would have expected much more from a director who managed so brilliantly to create an intimate atmosphere in Gods and Monsters. The introduction, where we follow Kinsey's motivations and explore the psychology of the characters, is great and I truly enjoyed Liam Neeson's experiments. However, as time goes on, the initial power dulls and the film sinks from hints into a parade of perversions and sometimes even repulsiveness. Such a shame. (23.03.2006)

Extremely difficult material to turn into a script and film, but Bill Condon did an excellent job. Kinsey is a wise, freethinking film with a dozen acting stars big and small who relish their performances and are honored to take part in this project. That is one of the most valuable things a contemporary – more or less mainstream – film can provide to the viewer. Liam Neeson is perfect as Kinsey – rational rather than emotional, a little weird but charismatic. Add to that the masterful directorial balance between humorous and more serious moments and the complete absence of sentiment (although the Oscar ambitions were certainly considerable) and we get a pleasure for film connoisseurs. I count Condon in the group of great European talents such as Marc Forster, Michel Gondry and Tom Tykwer. (05.11.2007)

I admire people who strive to educate the world about sexuality. I believe we need to be honest with ourselves, which is the foundation for being honest with others. How will people view you when you announce that you are gay or that you are a lesbian? How will you feel when you tell them this? Will it be easy for you, or will you feel bad about it? People definitely do not look the same way at those who have a same-sex orientation. But it’s not just that. How much do we really know about our bodies, and how much do we know about our partners? Humans are one of the few species that engage in sexual intercourse not only for reproduction but also for personal pleasure. Why are we so hesitant to talk about it? We don’t want to address our problems publicly, yet we are still interested in sexuality. We are afraid to talk about it. Kinsey is a film about people who aren’t afraid to speak. Alfred Kinsey was one of those people because he conducted a fairly extensive study, first about men and then about women, and their sexual desires, needs, and experiences. The problem was that he published his books in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Puritanical America struggled to accept them, but at least he showed how many homosexuals were here. Should this be considered a problem, or simply a manifestation of societal evolution? The film’s openness is very powerful, further supported by the excellent performances of both Liam Neeson and Laura Linney. It’s an outstanding film, truly outstanding. (01.03.2013)

I'd love to meet Alfred Kinsey. Meeting a man who moves in his field with such undisguised passion, sacrificing almost his whole life to it, despite the negative response from society, is honestly something that very few people are lucky enough to have. And it was Condon's film that made me feel like I'd actually had the privilege of talking to him; his verve and dogged conviction in the usefulness of his actions rubbed off on me, and I gulped down the two hours like I would a cold beer after a day's hike. Neeson once again is great and confirmed his acting prowess, and among the multitude of supporting roles it’s worth mentioning, besides the always great Laura Linney, William Sadler, whose incredible character is not easily forgotten. If there’d been more people like Kinsey in the past, maybe we'd go naked on the street in the summer :-) 85% (23.07.2013)