Kinsey

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)

From a director who so excellently managed to create an intimate atmosphere in Bozí a monstra, I would have expected much more. The introduction, where we follow Kinsey's motivations and explore the psychology of the characters, is great and I truly enjoyed Neeson's research. 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)

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'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)

I admire people who are trying to educate the world in the field of sexuality. I believe that we need to be honest with ourselves, which is the foundation for being honest with others. How will people look at you when you tell them that you are gay or 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 at those who have a same-sex orientation in the same way. But it's not just that. How much do we actually know about our bodies, how much do we know about our partners? Humans are one of the few animal species that engage in sexual intercourse not only for reproduction, but also for their own satisfaction. Why do we talk about it? We don't want to discuss our problems publicly, but we are still interested in sexuality. We are afraid to talk about it. "Kinsey" is a film about people who are not afraid to speak. Alfred Kinsey was one of those people because he created a rather extensive study, first about men and then about women, their sexual desires, needs, and experiences. The problem was that he came out with his books in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Puritan America found it very difficult to accept, but at least he showed them how many homosexuals there are here. Should it then be considered a problem or simply a reflection of societal development? The openness of the film is very strong, further supported by the great acting of both Liam Neeson and Laura Linney. An excellent film, truly excellent. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/10/ztraceno-v-prekladu-4-bratri-na-dotek.html (01.03.2013)