Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)

Turning her back on her wealthy, established family, Diane Arbus falls in love with Lionel Sweeney, an enigmatic mentor who introduces Arbus to the marginalized people who help her become one of the most revered photographers of the twentieth century.

Director:

Steven Shainberg

Writers:

Erin Cressida Wilson, Patricia Bosworth (book)

Stars:

Nicole Kidman, Robert Downey Jr., Ty Burrell

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicole Kidman	...	Diane Arbus
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Lionel Sweeney
Ty Burrell	...	Allan Arbus
Harris Yulin	...	David Nemerov
Jane Alexander	...	Gertrude Nemerov
Emmy Clarke	...	Grace Arbus
Genevieve McCarthy	...	Sophie Arbus
Boris McGiver	...	Jack Henry
Marceline Hugot	...	Tippa Henry
Mary Duffy	...	Althea
Emily Bergl	...	Allan's New Assistant
Lynn-Marie Stetson	...	Fiona (Naked Girl) (as Lynn Marie Stetson)
Gwendolyn Bucci	...	Dominatrix
Christina Rouner	...	Lois
Matt Servitto	...	Handsome Client

Storyline

In 1958, in New York City, the upper class Diane Arbus is a frustrated and lonely woman with a conventional marriage with two daughters. Her husband is a photographer sponsored by the wealthy parents of Diane, and she works as his assistant. When Lionel Sweeney, a mysterious man with hypertrichosis (a.k.a. werewolf syndrome, a disease that causes excessive body hair), comes to live in the apartment in the upper floor, Diane feels a great attraction for him and is introduced to the world of freaks and marginalized people, falling in love with Lionel.

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Plot Keywords:

photographer | hypertrichosis | hair | freak | werewolf | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic nudity, some sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [fr] Picturehouse

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 2006 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Fur

Filming Locations:

East 54th Street Recreation Center, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$28,815 (USA) (10 November 2006)

Gross:

$220,914 (USA) (15 December 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward R. Pressman Film, River Road Entertainment, Iron Films (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Steven Shainberg's uncle, Lawrence, was a close friend of Diane Arbus.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, during the fur coat fashion show, Diane goes out onto the porch to expose herself. When she first walks out, the top two buttons of her dress are unbuttoned. The scene cuts to a close-up of Diane and the top two buttons are now buttoned.

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Quotes

Lionel Sweeney: Cookie?

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Worst of 2006 (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Tangerine"
Performed by Ben Webster & Coleman Hawkins
Written by Johnny Mercer and Victor Schertzinger
Published by Famous Music, LLC
Courtesy of The Verve Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Visually stunning

I found this to be an incredibly interesting film with fine performances all round, and beautiful cinematography, art direction and a lovely score amongst other things. Kidman is very convincing though she does seem to be 'acting for an Oscar' at many points through out the film. When I saw the film I did not know very much about the photographer Diane Arbus, those disappointed that the film is not more of a biopic shouldn't be because the film creates such an intriguing portrait of the photographer that I for one was compelled to learn more about the artist. This is definitely a film to see in the cinema rather than one to watch on DVD.