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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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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$220,914, 17 December 2006

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,281,089, 6 January 2008

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

Towards the end of the movie, Lionel is shown beginning to blow up the canvas raft. He later explains that it is for Diane when he takes his final swim. Someone suffering from such extremely low lung function that he will only live a few months would never be able to inflate a raft that size.

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Quotes

Diane Arbus: Why don't you tell a secret?

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Trio D. 581, No. 1 in B Flat Major (Minuetto Allegretto)
Written by Franz Schubert
Arranged by Todd Kasow

User Reviews

Lost somewhere between "Beauty & the Beast" and "Eyes Wide Shut"

"Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus" is a peculiar little film.

On its surface the film intends to buck conventional wisdom by creating a biographic film made up of fabricated material. This is done in an effort to understand the inner-vision of photographer and photojournalist Diane Arbus whose most famous work was of societal outcasts.

Nicole Kidman plays her in the film, quietly submitting to the oppressive attitudes of the late-1950's. She supports and assists her husband in his photo studio, although she clearly yearns to explore her own artistry. When a mysterious man who conceals himself under an elaborate mask moves in upstairs, she becomes obsessed with him and begins a quest to capture his portrait for herself.

As directed by Steven Shainberg, of "Secretary" fame, "Fur" is a dreamy, visual treat, with a subtle erotic pulse. It's a strange and off-putting film with deliberate pacing and devoted performances by Kidman and Robert Downey Jr.