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Henry & June (1990)

Posted By: Efgrapha

Date: 15 Jun 2015 21:02:19

The real-life relationship between two of the most controversial literary figures of the 20th century forms the basis for this drama. Anaïs Nin (Maria de Medeiros) is a struggling author trying to finish her first book, a study of the work of D.H. Lawrence. She also has a keen sexual curiosity that is not being satisfied by her sweet but unexciting husband, Hugo (Richard E. Grant). Through Hugo's friend Richard (Kevin Spacey), Anaïs is introduced to Henry Miller (Fred Ward), a writer from America who shares Anaïs' passion for both eros and literature; she is later introduced to June (Uma Thurman), Henry's wife and a practicing bisexual. While Anaïs is attracted to Henry, to her surprise, she's even more strongly drawn to June; June, however, must return to America, and with her approval, Henry and Anaïs begin an affair. Anaïs' newfound sense of sexual liberation leads her to several new lovers over the next several months, but she and Henry find themselves pursuing the same object of affection when June returns to Paris. Henry & June's frank but tasteful treatment of sexual themes led the MPAA to threaten the film with an X-rating; instead, the film became the first feature released with the revised NC-17 classification.

Synopsis by Mark Deming, Allmovie.com

It's not every day that the Motion Picture Association of America creates a new rating, but that's what happened in 1990 with Henry & June, Philip Kaufman's biography of author Henry Miller. By giving the film the an NC-17 rating, the MPAA allowed it to be seen in many parts of mainstream America, where an X-rating would have meant banishment. Though the rating has since become almost as reviled as the X, the intended differentiation between pornography and art was clear. In the end, Henry & June is not particularly erotic, but it is boldly sensual, in the vein of Kaufman's previous film The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Most of the performances – save for Fred Ward's portrayal of the rather pitiful Miller and Kevin Spacey's minor but memorable role – are overshadowed by the film's visual splendor. Even the alluring Uma Thurman (as Miller's wife, June) and Maria de Medeiros (as Anaïs Nin) can't compete with production designer Guy-Claude François' stunning recreation of 1930s Paris. Philippe Rousselot was rightfully nominated for an Academy Award for his lavish cinematography.

Review by Brendon Hanley, Allmovie.com

IMDB 6,4/10 from 9 433 users

Wiki

Director: Philip Kaufman

Writers: Anaïs Nin (book), Philip Kaufman (screenplay), Rose Kaufman (screenplay)

Cast: Fred Ward, Maria de Medeiros, Uma Thurman, Richard E. Grant, Kevin Spacey