Fur - An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)

One of the best films I have seen in the past few years.

I rarely go to the movies nowadays: It would seem that Hollywood delivers only remakes of old movies or old stupid shows or cartoons. Hollywood writers seem to be doomed to adapt stuff that has already been written. What happened to creativity?

It is certainly not the case with this film. It caught my attention from the start. Set in the repressive 1950's, it tells the story of a frustrated photographer victim of her castrating parents. Her main activity in life is to assist her photographer husband during fashion photo shoots and to take care of her children. Of course this is not enough for her: She is an original, a true artist.

Everything changes when a man with hypertrichosis moves into her apartment building. They become friends as she is introduced into the vibrant underground world of "Freaks". While Nicole Kidman's former husband Tom Cruise needs to wear fat suits in stupid comedies in order to attempt to revive his career, Nicole Kidman delivers one of her best performances yet: She is poignant, vulnerable but at the same time her portrayal as a frustrated talent is very believable.

Robert Downy JR. is also quite impressive in his role, he manages to be charismatic even when covered in all that fur. One can understand why Diane Arbus falls in love with him. As a whole, this picture invites us to explore and accept new concepts of beauty. It also explore the depth of human relationships. It's an original story, and a very pleasant surprise. I recommend it to anyone that has some brains and still enjoys good cinema. November 11, 2008

Quirky, but Beautiful

I just watched Fur on HBO, I sat there stone faced, I could not take my eyes off the TV screen. Usually, I flip around to other stations, but this movie took my breath away.

I read Diane (prounced Dee-Ann) Arbus' biography many years ago. Her photographs of "unusual people" have haunted me for years. She was a genius, but a tortured person. She committed suicide by slashing her wrists while she was in her bath tub. She bled to death, and her body was not discovered for several days.

When I first heard about "Fur" I thought, how could Nicole Kidman portray a short Jewish woman? Arbus was only 5 feet tall, Kidman almost 6 feet tall. But Kidman nailed it. She made me believe that she was Diane Arbus. Her chemistry with Downey was remarkable. Fabulous acting from these two marvelous actors. So glad to see Downey getting his "act" together after his miserable drug addictions. Bravo Downey! You were amazing, how I just loved you in this role.

This movie reminds me of the tv series "Beauty and the Beast." Vincent and Catherine. Love knows no boundaries. And the scene where Kidman shaves her lover, how beautiful! Such total love.

I am about to buy this DVD right now. I just want to watch it over and over. I just loved this movie!








November 9, 2008

An artist struggles to emerge

This movie is definitely not for everyone. The first time i saw it, i was taken back on how unique and interesting the story is and yet it got little advertising. This is an inspiring movie that i would think mostly artist's would appreciate. It shows the struggles of art through obstacles and diverse environments. Although, a little twisted and perverse, this movie teaches that to become yourself,you sometimes have to lose yourself. September 25, 2008

Beautifully Passionate Love Story

This is one of my favorite love stories. It is well acted by both Kidman and Robert Downey Jr. and the details that went into the design and feel of the movie transported you into her world. If you know Diane Arbus's work than of course you will know that the movie will be slightly twisted toward the unusual and feed off of your intrigue for the uncommon. Arbus's pictures always made me feel like you shouldn't be so intrigued by them but for some reason you could just stare at them all day and that is how the movie pulled me as well. The plot is also rounded out nicely by the story of Arbus finding her true self and breaking away from the life she chose when she was trying to pretend to fit in with what was considered normal. If you like a little magic, the un-norm, and passionate and therefore dramatic love stories than this movie will be right up your alley. August 12, 2008

Yin & Yang

After reading the other reviews, it seems to me that people write to their tastes; some love Kidman, some don't, etc. Their established tastes, by and large, make up their enjoyment (or not) of anything be it film, music or literature.

So, that being said, my ten cents:
#1. I'd never heard of Diane Arbus before picking up this film.
#2. I picked it up for Robert Downey Jr. (Established Taste).
#3. Guess what? There are no words for how I feel about his performance that could convey my depth of feeling. (picks up jaw and several other body parts from floor)
#4. I think I finally appreciate Nicole Kidman. I definitely appreciate her position.
#5. I actually felt sorry for Diane's husband but he didn't deserve her. Her talent in "helping" with his photographic work made him. He couldn't do it without her - not like he did.
#6. Cheesy? Depends on how hardened your heart is and, tell me, have YOU ever been in love? And then lost that person? As I cried I totally understood how she felt when she wore his fur coat he made for her and breathed in the air from the raft he inflated. Oddly enough, this is the only part of the film I couldn't believe in. Lionel was having trouble climbing the stairs to his apartment by the end there so if his lungs were as bad as all that, HOW could he blow up anything?
#7. This is a visual feast. The colors, the fashions, the hair!
#8. It is disturbing in places. Do Not Watch if nudity disturbs you at all. Really. Don't.
#9. Also, do not watch if suicide bothers you. Or did he? Whatever, Lionel dies happy - or as happy as someone with a life like his could be.
#10. As much as I liked this film I have to agree the ending fell short. It felt unfinished. For a period of time where there was so much rich drama you end up feeling like "what happened"? I feel they should have ended it on the beach. The next bunch of scenes should have been the main movie with all the rest done as flashbacks.

Oh well...if you are a fan of RDJ or Kidman, this movie will rock your world. If you are a fan of Diane Arbus, it is a damn fine "What If". All the artists involved with this project bent over backwards saying it was SO fictional it made me wonder if it actually was. How much "If" is it, really? We'll probably never know. July 17, 2008

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