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IMDbPro

Kinsey

  • 20042004
  • RR
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
49K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,253
232
Liam Neeson in Kinsey (2004)
Trailer
Play trailer2:37
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Romance
A look at the life of Alfred Kinsey, a pioneer in the area of human sexuality research, whose 1948 publication "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" was one of the first recorded works that sa... Read allA look at the life of Alfred Kinsey, a pioneer in the area of human sexuality research, whose 1948 publication "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" was one of the first recorded works that saw science address sexual behavior.A look at the life of Alfred Kinsey, a pioneer in the area of human sexuality research, whose 1948 publication "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" was one of the first recorded works that saw science address sexual behavior.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
49K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,253
232
  • Director
    • Bill Condon
  • Writer
    • Bill Condon
  • Stars
    • Liam Neeson
    • Laura Linney
    • Chris O'Donnell
Top credits
  • Director
    • Bill Condon
  • Writer
    • Bill Condon
  • Stars
    • Liam Neeson
    • Laura Linney
    • Chris O'Donnell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 212User reviews
    • 188Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 17 wins & 51 nominations total

    Videos1

    Kinsey
    Trailer 2:37
    Kinsey

    Photos114

    Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in Kinsey (2004)
    Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in Kinsey (2004)
    Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in Kinsey (2004)
    Peter Sarsgaard in Kinsey (2004)
    Timothy Hutton and Chris O'Donnell in Kinsey (2004)
    Liam Neeson and Peter Sarsgaard in Kinsey (2004)
    Timothy Hutton, Liam Neeson, Chris O'Donnell, and Peter Sarsgaard in Kinsey (2004)
    Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in Kinsey (2004)
    Timothy Hutton, Liam Neeson, Chris O'Donnell, and Peter Sarsgaard in Kinsey (2004)
    Liam Neeson in Kinsey (2004)
    Kinsey (2004)
    Liam Neeson in Kinsey (2004)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Liam Neeson
    Liam Neeson
    • Alfred Kinsey
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Clara McMillen
    Chris O'Donnell
    Chris O'Donnell
    • Wardell Pomeroy
    Peter Sarsgaard
    Peter Sarsgaard
    • Clyde Martin
    Timothy Hutton
    Timothy Hutton
    • Paul Gebhard
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Alfred Seguine Kinsey
    Tim Curry
    Tim Curry
    • Thurman Rice
    Oliver Platt
    Oliver Platt
    • Herman Wells
    Dylan Baker
    Dylan Baker
    • Alan Gregg
    Julianne Nicholson
    Julianne Nicholson
    • Alice Martin
    William Sadler
    William Sadler
    • Kenneth Braun
    John McMartin
    John McMartin
    • Huntington Hartford
    Veronica Cartwright
    Veronica Cartwright
    • Sara Kinsey
    Kathleen Chalfant
    Kathleen Chalfant
    • Barbara Merkle
    Heather Goldenhersh
    Heather Goldenhersh
    • Martha Pomeroy
    Dagmara Dominczyk
    Dagmara Dominczyk
    • Agnes Gebhard
    Harley Cross
    Harley Cross
    • Young Man in Gay Bar
    Susan Blommaert
    Susan Blommaert
    • Staff Secretary
    • Director
      • Bill Condon
    • Writer
      • Bill Condon
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      On the DVD commentary, writer and director Bill Condon revealed that he wanted to include, in a montage, a clip from I Love Lucy (1951), in which a character makes a joking reference to Dr. Alfred Kinsey's research. Condon says that he was unable to use the clip because Lucie Arnaz (the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz) denied him the rights, offering very little explanation, aside from claiming that her parents would never allow themselves to be associated with Kinsey.
    • Goofs
      During the credits, the producers thank the "University of Indiana" when it is actually "Indiana University" of which Alfred Kinsey was a part. The university notified director Bill Condon of the mistake. Condon gave his word that it would be taken care of when the film went on general release, but the mistake remains.
    • Quotes

      Wardell Pomeroy: How old were you when you first engaged in sexual activity with a partner?

      Research Subject: Fourteen.

      Wardell Pomeroy: How?

      Research Subject: With horse.

      Wardell Pomeroy: [pause] How often were you having intercourse with animals at age 14?

      Research Subject: [stunned] It's true. I fucked a pony. You are genius, how did you know?

      Wardell Pomeroy: You just said you had... sex with horse.

      Research Subject: Nooo... Whores, not horse, *whores*.

    • Crazy credits
      At the end of the film (following the main cast credits), a montage featuring Kinsey Institute footage of the mating habits of various animals is accompanied by "Fever" by Little Willie John.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason/Finding Neverland/Kinsey/After the Sunset (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Etudes, Opus 25
      (1832-6)

      Written by Frédéric Chopin

      Performed by Idil Biret

      Courtesy of Naxos of North America, Inc.

    User reviews212

    Review
    Top review
    Kinsey enlightens a controversial subject
    Writer/Director Bill Condon does a thoroughly detailed, fascinating study of the life of famed sex researcher Alfred Kinsey in the drama, Kinsey. What would on surface seem unfilmable is done with great sensitivity and honesty.

    Condon knows how to tell stories about real people (Gods and Monsters), and here is a life filled with curiosity and far reaching accomplishment.

    Raised in a repressed family dominated by a stern father, Kinsey is portrayed as an isolated teen who rebels against not only his father, but against sexual convention. As a science instructor in college, he meets a student who becomes his wife. As other students look more and more to him for sexual advice, his original interest in insect studies changes to sex adviser and ultimately sex researcher. His team of assistants and even their wives become involved in the research. As Kinsey's study requires sample interviews across the country, a diverse, amazing discovery of sexual habits and statistics are revealed. The study ultimately becomes published in a groundbreaking best seller amid a swell of damnation from the public.

    Condon interweaves the science with the human element in a very intelligent screenplay. It is remarkable that such a coherent storyline emerges from a multitude of scientific and news sources. The movie also says a lot about the state of the country at a time in mid twentieth century America when the Red Scare was in full swing and the populace was guided by the morals and sensibilities of its time. Kinsey's relationship with his wife is the thread that ties the film together thematically. She essentially becomes the barometer for his work and his shortcomings. Here is a man who was brilliant and at the same time fallible.

    There is no epilogue at film's end as might be expected for a biography, but it is a nice touch for a film that tries to approach its subject with freshness and reverence. The set design and costumes are all authentic in period flavor, but the film seems to be focused not on marking the precise year but depicting an era or time. Do stay for the amusing end credits which show a veritable Noah's Ark of animals in their glory.

    Liam Neeson is very good as the obsessed scientist who tries to conduct meaningful, quantifiable research while reconciling the emotional toll on his marriage and his friendships. Laura Linney is in fine form as the supportive wife who observes and then participates in her husband's venture.

    As his research assistants, Timothy Hutton, Chris O'Donnell, and Peter Sarsgaard round out a very strong ensemble cast. In fact, these fine actors are almost wasted in supporting roles. John Lithgow is pitch perfect as Kinsey's cruel, insensitive father. There is a nice, near cameo appearance by Lynn Redgrave (Gods and Monsters) as the last interview of Kinsey, and she resonates in her brief appearance.

    In keeping with the subject matter, there is graphic dialogue and sexual depictions, but there is nothing exploitive or without narrative purpose here. It is interesting to note that this film is coming on the heels of a moralistic backlash of media content and permissiveness. By showing how well-intended human studies into formerly taboo subjects helped to enlighten and reexamine human behavior, Kinsey proves to be the right film for the right time.
    helpful•105
    28
    • seaview1
    • Nov 28, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 7, 2005 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Germany
    • Official site
      • Fox Searchlight
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kinsey: El científico del sexo
    • Filming locations
      • Fordham University - 441 E. Fordham Road. Rose Hill, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Fox Searchlight Pictures
      • Qwerty Films
      • N1 European Film Produktions GmbH & Co. KG
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $10,254,979
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $169,038
      • Nov 14, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,050,017
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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