The cold, aloof characters in "Kinsey" — especially the sex researcher of the title — make the film feel more than a little clinical and methodical. It's supposed to feel that way, of course, but it only serves to make an already challenging movie even more challenging.
Of course, the extremely controversial subject matter ensures that some will reject "Kinsey" without seeing it, and it doesn't help that the film does its best to make several of the doctor's detractors look ridiculous.
But "Kinsey" is not the most flattering portrait of its subject, and there's no denying the forcefulness of the performances by the first-rate cast.
Liam Neeson stars as pioneering sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, and the film attempts to explain why the cold, practical scientist changed his research focus from insects to the sexual desires and practices of human beings. Kinsey's studies and resulting publications, such as 1948's "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male," are, of course, hotly debated to this day.
"Kinsey" also examines his marriage to a former student, Clara McMillen (Laura Linney), as well as his love-hate relationships with his research assistant Clyde Martin (Peter Sarsgaard) and his father (John Lithgow), a fire-and-brimstone Sunday School teacher.
The film often takes easy potshots at Kinsey's critics, especially a fellow professor (played by Tim Curry, of all people). And the matter-of-fact way in which the characters talk about sex — and sometimes engage in it — is a bit shocking.
However, it's clear that that's what screenwriter/director Bill Condon ("Gods and Monsters") was up to. He's trying to show that Kinsey was as emotionally detached in his relationships as he was in his research.
Playing such a conflicted character isn't easy, but Neeson is up to it. And his convincing performance ensures that the film is watchable even when its main character is unlikable. The always dependable Linney is solid as his faithful and understanding wife, while Sarsgaard fleshes out an underwritten character.
"Kinsey" is rated R for frank sexual talk, including use of sexual slang terms, some fairly graphic scenes of simulated sex and sexual contact, flashes of nudity, including some full male nudity, brief drug content (including talk of barbiturate use) and a brief scene of violence (a scuffle). Running time: 118 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com