I watched Kinsey a few years ago. It was dubbed into German and I remember falling asleep at some point. But Kinsey is not really a bad film, even though it tends to give a too simplified idea of what scientific research is. Kinsey's research is portrayed as either being about the extremely (yes, it ends up as a caricature) clinical observation and analysis of facts or it was politically or personally liberating. The movie hints at some substantial questions (what does it mean to conduct research on sex as if it were a neutral form of behavior that without friction lends itself to statistical mappings) but regrettably Condon's film doesn't dwell on that. It dwell, unsurprisingly, on the human interest of the story.
The theme of Kinsey is far more interesting than the way it is shaped into a movie. This is a mediocre film with little originality in it. Yes, we've seen a thousand portrayals of men who go through with their projects no matter what (an inner c-c-calling - a million gall wasps, tons of interviews, all that stern dedication!). Yes, we've seen the guy who energetically fends off criticism and doubt, battling enemies, making new friends, by doing his thing. And, finally, yes, we've seen this Great Man with a supportive wife at his side ("a model of warmth and understanding", as one famous critic has it). A few stereotypes there, sure. But still, there are not many films that ask questions about the role of science in society and the impact of science on how we understand ourselves.
If you want to see a better film by Bill Condon - watch Gods and monsters (with Ian McKellen). That's a film with some originality at least.
... Well, it is at least good to see Liam Neeson perform in a better movie than Rob Roy.
Excuse me, it's time for the daily dose of van de Velde.
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