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

2 wins.

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:

male full frontal nudity | photographer | diane arbus | character name in title | pubic hair | 

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Taglines:

A wife playing a role. A mother caring for her family. A woman discovering her true self. And a mysterious stranger, who unlocks a hidden world.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic nudity, some sexuality and language

Details

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 USA:

$28,815, 12 November 2006

Gross USA:

$223,202

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,305,841

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

Robert Downey Jr. had a previous connection to the Arbus family. His father, filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., made Greaser's Palace (1972) starring Diane Arbus' ex-husband, Allan Arbus, with young Robert Jr. in a small part.

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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

Diane Arbus: Why did you throw down the key?
Lionel Sweeney: You looked like you needed to come up to my place.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Dressed in Jazz
Written by Giorgio Rosciglione & Giovanni Cristiani
Published by Henning Music
Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

User Reviews

Next time a true portrayal?

I would be delighted if the Arbus estate, after having seen this film, commission a film called "The True Life of Diane Arbus" with an ending in the same vein as the film portrait of Sylvia Plath.

My feeling, and it is only that, Ms Arbus was never timid in her photography of people. Nor were the people on the fringe of society organised in the way the film suggests they were.

If you like lingering shots of Ms Kidman and enjoy bubblegum for the eyes then do go and see it. If, on the other hand, and that was my motive for going to see the film, you wish to learn more about a talented photographer of worth, then your cinema ticket price might be better spent on a book about Diane Arbus.