helen-240 Reviews

Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)

An original and refreshingly non biographical story, not for the anally retentive seeking what is easily accessible from a good BOOKSTORE!

[7/10 · 19 September 2007]

I actually admired the extreme lengths to which the film's creator went in exercising his freedom of artistic licensing in this totally fantastical and imaginative version- fictionalising the source of inspiration behind Ms Arbus's consequent journey into developing her art; to many it may suggest indulging ones-self to the extreme at the risk of inflaming the passions of her loyal fans, I can empathise with those hardcore admirers who were eagerly anticipating an homage to her life and work as the film must have been a source of immense disappointment, bearing very little resemblance to the physical or biographical realities of Ms Arbus and her life...though the title clearly alludes to the fact that this was never the intention. I really enjoyed the film, Nicole Kidman never fails to deliver and visually it was an absolute feast of colour, subtle surrealism, atmosphere and even humour albeit poignant and dark at times.

I particularly liked the harmonious balance in tempo, and rhythm as the story unravels, the subtle and sensitive balance between humour and tragedy, the exploration of the complexity of intimate relationships, the need to find ones own path or destiny however painful and incongruent that journey may be- with social expectation, preconceived values or personal responsibility.

The biographical inaccuracies seem insignificant within the greater framework and although I was hitherto unfamiliar with the specifics of Ms Arbus's life, I still felt that valid insight was gained into the perplexing struggles endured by this artist searching to become true to herself amidst the parental social/emotional pressures and expectations. I was able to recognise an unconfident and yet courageous and strong, empathetic, sensitive woman, uniquely lacking in prejudice given the era and social background from which she came. For the open-minded viewer who appreciates the complexities of life, it is a thought provoking and challenging story which does not stray unforgivably far from a kind of truth.

Chasing Amy (1997)

Good news guys, lesbians are just normal girls who haven't yet found the right man!

[3/10 · 18 August 2006]

I was very disappointed by this film and regret wasting tome by watching it to the end in the vain hope that it would improve.

Kevin Smith has attempted to make an intelligent, thought provoking romantic comedy.

What he has achieved is an unrealistic, naive and frankly insulting parody of relationships.

In a nutshell, boy meets lesbian, falls in love, proclaims his feelings towards her, lesbian then realises she loves him after all and they fall into each other's arms, aaahhh! ('Cos we all know that being gay is a 'choice thing'!) They finally part, but no, not because he's barking up the wrong tree but due to trust and jealousy issues.

The film is frankly just a male ego fantasy which merely serves to insult the gay community and reinforce the ignorance, prejudice and misapprehensions that those foolish enough to actually see this as plausible have.

It's comedy value is very poor, peppered with Kevin Smith's trademark schoolboy level psychology and monotonous pseudo-intellectual conversations. The acting is reminiscent of an amateur dramatic society play with Ben Affleck as wooden as ever playing....well Ben Affleck.

I cannot recommend it at any level and the only unpredictable scene was the one in which 'Silent Bob' had something to say!

Kevin Smith has embarrassed himself by proving what an insight-less and uninformed man he is. He lacks wisdom, subtlety and understanding of human nature and sexuality and reveals himself to be naive and foolishly ignorant. Like most of his films his stereotypical male perspective is such a cliché... a melting pot of all the WORST, most NEGATIVE attributes, fantasies, characteristics and attitudes of menfolk. He insults men who do not fit these stereotypes and gay people in general.

The only people I can imagine appreciating and identifying with his characters are themselves clichés in search of an identity, or 13 to 25 year old boys who are lacking in life experience and derive their knowledge from comic books and PC games. The film is an insult to anyone who has truly lived and loved, or with half a brain.