Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)

Director:

Steven Shainberg

Writers (WGA):

Erin Cressida Wilson (written by)
Patricia Bosworth (book)

Release Date:

20 October 2006 (Italy)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Photographer | Marriage | Female Full Frontal Nudity | Infidelity | Female Nudity

Awards:

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

Also Known As:

Fur (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic nudity, some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | Ireland:15A | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Finland:K-13 | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:7 | Argentina:16 | Japan:R-18 | Netherlands:12 | Greece:K-13 | Chile:14 | South Korea:18 | Norway:10 (TV rating) | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Edward R. Pressman Film

Trivia:

Samantha Morton was originally cast as Diane Arbus.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: One of the negatives that Mr. Arbus is developing is a Kodak T-MAX 400, which was not available in 1958.

Quotes:

Lionel Sweeney: [holding an inflatable raft] I blew this up for you.
Diane Arbus: Why did you want me to shave you? Hmm? Why?
Lionel Sweeney: So I could swim out further.
Diane Arbus: Swim out?
Lionel Sweeney: Yes.
Diane Arbus: What are you saying?
Lionel Sweeney: [he struggles for words] That I want you with me.
Diane Arbus: What?
Lionel Sweeney: Diane.
Diane Arbus: What are you talking about? You want me to watch you die?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (#13.17)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

A Dreamer's Holiday

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.