For the longest time, sex has been notoriously hard to discuss, in part due to politeness, social norms, and religious attitudes surrounding the topic. Because of this, it took a certain kind of courage, and also a certain disregard of modesty, in order to finally explore the topic. Kinsey is centered around the titular pioneer of sexology, and writer-director Bill Condon cleverly takes the interview questions Kinsey used to structure the scientist’s life and work. It’s a fairly straightforward biopic that does skip over some of Kinsey’s controversies, but it’s one that honors him and his cornerstone contributions, especially with the excellent performance of Liam Neeson.
"It's partly a scientific brief, partly a song of sex, and it's enormously enjoyable."
— David Denby
"It's a new Neeson as Dr. Alfred Kinsey, all spiky-haired and harried, and he's enormously appealing in the role."
— Ken Tucker
Kinsey is a portrait of researcher Alfred Kinsey, driven to uncover the most private secrets of a nation. What begins for Kinsey as a scientific endeavor soon takes on an intensely personal relevance, ultimately becoming an unexpected journey into the mystery of human behavior.
Living a respectable life as a biology professor and researcher at Indiana University, Alfred Kinsey identifies the need to study human sexuality, a field that then lacked valid repeatable data but plenty of prescription from religion and culture.
The interview in black and white alternating with Kinsey’s life in color adds some interest and humor to the biopic structure.
Thankfully, it's not as dry as it could have, but a more daring film would have tackled his controversies along with his contributions.
Other
1 nomination
