I really disliked the film, not because of the subject matter but rather because of the portrayal of Professor Kinsey himself.
I have no idea what type of personality the real Dr. Kinsey had, but the one portrayed in the movie came off as an obsessive, tyrannical, socially dysfunctional caricature of a scientist. Scientists have often been portrayed as obsessive or socially awkward, and this movie jumps on that bandwagon and rides it into the sunset. It was impossible to like the main character, and hence the entire movie was painful to watch.
In a particularly annoying series of scenes, Dr. Kinsey has trouble getting funding for his research on human sexuality. This is completely understandable, given the sensitivity of the subject. I would expect a researcher on human sexuality to be quite familiar with the inhibitions and norms that make it difficult to discuss the subject objectively. Unfortunately, rather than understand, Kinsey rants about how important his research is, and tries to bully the representatives of funding agencies into giving him money. To put it bluntly, he was a jerk with no manners. Although there are jerks in all walks of life, the typical scientist that I have met is a far cry from the depiction of Kinsey: most scientists are soft-spoken, well-mannered, and thoughtful individuals.
The subject of the film could have been interesting if not for Kinsey's constantly abrasive on-screen presence.
I have no idea what type of personality the real Dr. Kinsey had, but the one portrayed in the movie came off as an obsessive, tyrannical, socially dysfunctional caricature of a scientist. Scientists have often been portrayed as obsessive or socially awkward, and this movie jumps on that bandwagon and rides it into the sunset. It was impossible to like the main character, and hence the entire movie was painful to watch.
In a particularly annoying series of scenes, Dr. Kinsey has trouble getting funding for his research on human sexuality. This is completely understandable, given the sensitivity of the subject. I would expect a researcher on human sexuality to be quite familiar with the inhibitions and norms that make it difficult to discuss the subject objectively. Unfortunately, rather than understand, Kinsey rants about how important his research is, and tries to bully the representatives of funding agencies into giving him money. To put it bluntly, he was a jerk with no manners. Although there are jerks in all walks of life, the typical scientist that I have met is a far cry from the depiction of Kinsey: most scientists are soft-spoken, well-mannered, and thoughtful individuals.
The subject of the film could have been interesting if not for Kinsey's constantly abrasive on-screen presence.