DVD Review - Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus

Many people disliked this film and I can see why. It is something unusual and it is certainly not commercial or a crowd pleaser. And while I thought that the film had many flaws I still liked it and would recommend it to people who want to see something different.

The film is directed by Steven Shainberg (who made Secretary - a films that I did not like) and he takes great care in presenting an interesting film. And, yes, most of what you will see on the screen was made up. Hence the name. But none of this matters while you are watching it. The film is not a biopic. It is more of a testimony to the life and work of Diane Arbus.

Nicole Kidman plays Arbus. She is her husband's (Ty Burrell) assistant. He is a photographer and she helps set up the models. Her father (Harris Yulin) is a furrier and her mother (the wonderful Jane Alexander) is a stuffy socialite). When she decides that it time to do her own work she meets a mysterious man Lionel (Robert Downey, Jr.), who turns out to be one of her greats inspirations. Lionel has a certain physical problem but that doesn't stop Diane from getting close to him. Lionel introduces Diana to people who are considered to be on the margins of society and they become the subjects for her photos.

The acting is good but not outstanding. I thought that the opening shot of the film was terrific. However, I was quite disturbed by all of the fur in the film. I am hoping that the filmmakers used fake furs but I am not sure about that. The leopard skins had to be fake because it is now against the law to use leopards for fur. This was the late 50s and back then people didn't think about the cruelty of fur like they do today.

Anyway, I am recommending this film to those of you who want to see something unusual and visually stunning.