Not only does Kinsey flow with the purpose of biographical narrative, it provides a compelling portrait of a momentous shift in American culture.
Kinsey (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:179
Fresh:162
Rotten:17
Average Rating:7.7/10
Consensus: A biopic of the sex researcher is hailed as adventurous, clever, and subversive, with fine performances by Liam Neeson and Laura Linney.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for pervasive sexual content, including some graphic images and description
Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Nov 12, 2004 Limited
Box Office: $10,214,647
Synopsis: Academy Award®-winning writer-director Bill Condon (GODS AND MONSTERS) turns the microscope on Alfred Kinsey in a drama that is at once a portrait of a man driven to uncover the most private... Academy Award®-winning writer-director Bill Condon (GODS AND MONSTERS) turns the microscope on Alfred Kinsey in a drama that is at once a portrait of a man driven to uncover the most private secrets of the nation, and a journey into the mystery of human behavior. Liam Neeson stars as Kinsey, who in 1948 irrevocably changed American culture and created a media sensation with his book Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Asking thousands of people about the most intimate aspects of their lives, Kinsey lifted the weight of doubt and shame from a society in which sex was hidden, and knowledge was dangerous. His work sparked one of the most intense cultural debates of the past century – a debate that rages on today. Created by a remarkable roster of talent both in front of and behind the camera, the all-star cast of KINSEY includes Oscar® nominee Liam Neeson (SCHINDLER’S LIST), Oscar-nominated Laura Linney (YOU CAN COUNT ON ME), Golden Globe® nominee Chris O’Donnell (SCENT OF A WOMAN), Golden Globe-nominated Peter Sarsgaard (SHATTERED GLASS), Oscar winner Timothy Hutton (ORDINARY PEOPLE), Oscar nominee John Lithgow (TERMS OF ENDEARMENT), Emmy®-nominated Tim Curry ("Tales from the Crypt"), Emmy nominee Oliver Platt ("The West Wing") and National Board of Review Winner Dylan Baker (HAPPINESS). The behind-the-scenes team on KINSEY includes Director of Photography Frederick Elmes, who has shot many of acclaimed director Ang Lee’s films including THE HULK and THE ICE STORM, and David Lynch’s films including BLUE VELVET, for which he received numerous awards including the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography, and WILD AT HEART, which won the Cannes Film Festival Palme D’Or and an Independent Spirit Award. Production Designer Richard Sherman re-joins Condon following their collaboration on GODS AND MONSTERS, as well as several other films. Editor Virginia Katz rejoins Condon for a seventh time, following her work on GODS AND MONSTERS and CANDYMAN: FAREWELL TO THE FLESH. KINSEY is a Fox Searchlight and Qwerty Films presentation in association with Myriad Pictures of a N1 European Film Produktions-GmbH + CO.KG and Pretty Pictures production. Gail Mutrux (NURSE BETTY, DONNIE BRASCO) produces and executive producers are Michael Kuhn (THE ORDER, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH) of Qwerty Films, Oscar-winning writer/director Francis Ford Coppola (THE GODFATHER series, PATTON) and Bobby Rock (JEEPERS CREEPERS II, EVE’S BAYOU) of American Zoetrope, and Kirk D’Amico (TRAUMA, THE GOOD GIRL) of Myriad. [More]
Starring: Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Chris O'Donnell, Peter Sarsgaard
Starring: Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, Chris O'Donnell, Peter Sarsgaard, Timothy Hutton, John Lithgow, Tim Curry, Oliver Platt, Dylan Baker, Kathleen Chalfant, Lynn Redgrave, Veronica Cartwright
Director: Bill Condon
Director: Bill Condon
Screenwriter: Bill Condon
Producer: Gail Mutrux
Composer: Carter Burwell
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Get This Movie
Reviews for Kinsey
Condon presents Kinsey's life in an upbeat fashion that's unafraid of the language of the conventional biopic. The subject is unconventional enough to eliminate any need for stylistic embellishment.
While the movie does cover the basic who, what, where and when of Alfred Kinsey's 62 years on Earth, its true focus is on his work.
The strength of Kinsey is finally in the clarity it brings to its title character. It is fascinating to meet a complete original, a person of intelligence and extremes.
Condon sketches in the sexually benighted pre-World War II era with amusing and alarming touches.
Everything about Kinsey is first-class, especially the performances, yet the film cannot be honest with itself.
In a sense, Neeson's performance is not as grand as many biopics allow or require, because the actor is generous enough to share his spotlight with others.
The pacing isn't perfect, but the performances of the three main characters are. It's like 2 hours of entertaining foreplay that doesn't quite give you a satisfying climax.
“Kinsey” is a well-paced film whose subject matter is, at least, academically interesting.
Writer/director Bill Condon wisely equals the focus on both the man and his focus rather than package a greatest hits collection.
As Kinsey, the remarkable new film about his life, clearly reveals, there was more to the biologist in the bow tie than met the eye.
Neeson, in soft, subtle ways, draws out his character's humanity -- and shows the passion that drove the man.
Whether you see the man as a serpent bearing fruit or a beacon in the wilderness, it's hard to deny that Kinsey is a highly intelligent and thoroughly engaging film.
Neeson pulls off something of a miracle here, creating a flesh-and-blood character who is innocent and obsessive, decent and selfish, committed to expanding the boundaries of knowledge but sadly lacking emotional wisdom.
It might go for the conventional at times, but most of the movie is full of fascinating insights and entertaining to boot.
When it comes to Kinsey the man, as well as 'Kinsey,' the shorthand for his research, the name still has the power to arouse.
Tedious and 'respectable.' Condon never rolls up his sleeves and gets (for lack of a better word) dirty. You'd think he was making a film about gall wasps.
Latest News for Kinsey
May 19, 2008:
Rotten Tomatoes UK Needs You!
Fill out our simple-to-use questionnaire - which should only take about ten minutes - and have your say on officially the best film website on the planet!
More...
December 16, 2005:
London Movie Critics Present Their '05 Nominations
Movie City News shares with us a press release from the London Film Critics Group in which their various nominations are announced. Keep in mind that the Brit crits use their... More...
December 02, 2005:
Universal Plans to "Breach" a New FBI Thriller
ComingSoon.net shares a press release from Universal Pictures, the studio behind the upcoming spy thriller "Breach," which will star Chris Cooper, Laura Linney, and... More...
November 17, 2005:
Critical Consensus: "Harry Potter," "Walk the Line" Both Certified Fre
This week's wide releases find us within both a goblet and a burnin' ring of fire. We've got legends, both fantastic ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") and... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



