Henry & June
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Movie Reviews of Henry & June
Movie Review: Romance, Erotica, Pornography, Smut
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie was rated NC-17 when it came out in 1990 when I first saw it. I'd read both Henry Miller and Anais Nin and I love the whole Paris literary scene in the first half of the 20th Century, so I'm more inclined to enjoy this film than the general viewer.
If you're seeing this movie for the rating, you'll probably be disappointed. There is a lot of sexuality talked and debated about, but the nudity is mostly left to the extras (No Uma, so calm down). I also have to agree with the spotlight review that says the film is emotionally distant: no matter how much sex they have, their passion really belongs to their writing.
I think the film would've been much smuttier if it had been told through Miller's eyes instead of Nin's. (Rip Torn did an excellent job of portraying Miller's careless leering in a film version of TROPIC OF CANCER, if you can find it on video).
The cast was really good. I'd read that Fred Ward replaced Alec Baldwin, which worked for me: Ward does a great job of capturing Miller's rough earthiness and Brooklyn swagger. The film also features an early Kevin Spacey as Miller's jealous roommate.
If you really liked this film, the locations and the time period, you might also want to check out--believe it or not--THE RAZOR'S EDGE from 1984 with Bill Murray. LAST TANGO IN PARIS with Brando is also the sullen cousin to HENRY AND JUNE.
I hope they add more extras to any future edition.
Movie Review: Literate Passion
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the most underrated movies of the 90s. (It also marks a disappointing moment when the studio _could_ have backed up an NC-17 film not porn but meant for _real_ adults....but caved to puritanism instead). The top two reasons to see it are the performances of Maria de Medeiros as Anais Nin (it's almost a reincarnation) and Uma Thurman as June, two of the sexiest, most intelligent, passionate portrayals of women in recent cinema. Forget Thelma and Louise -- these two are a combustible pair. Fred Ward's performance as Henry Miller, too low-key, is pretty much lost in the shuffle, without any of the dynamic magnetism Miller had in spades. The movie explores the nature of desire, infatuation, obsession, and real love, and is pretty faithful to the actual events -- but some elements (such as the significance of June's puppet Count Bruga, made for her by her lesbian lover, Jean) are lost in the translation to the screen. For people bored to tears by the dichotomy of soulless porn on the one hand and Hollywood mush on the other, this is an intelligent and _sexy_ movie. Two lovely companion books are Anais Nin's diary "Henry and June," on which the movie was based, and Nin's and Miller's unexpurgated letters, "A Literate Passion." That title sums up both their lives and the movie based on them.Movie Review: Paris in the '30s with Henry Miller & Co.
Summary: 4 Stars
About the beginning of the famous relationship between Henry Miller and Anais Nin in Paris in the early 1930s, and both their relationships with Miller's wife, June. It's not at all a pleasant picture, though it's highly charged sexually. Nin (played by Maria de Medeiros) comes across as a totally unlikable character, a sensual flake caught up in the erotic; June (Uma Thurman) is not much better, and she's tough and selfish. Miller (Fred Ward) keeps telling Nin that he needs her, but it's hard to tell how or why; it's impossible to tell what Nin wants, if anything at all. What June wants is plain and simple: recognition through Henry's writing, which she feels she never gets. Since Nin was such a sensual, almost ephemeral person in real life and her diary, the scenes with her in them seem to lack substance. For all the commotion the NC-17 rating created because of the explicit sex scenes, it all seems pretty tame today. The Paris setting was beautifully photographed, but at 160 minutes the movie goes on too long.
Movie Review: Henry & June
Summary: 4 Stars
Henry Milller ("Tropic of Cancer" etc.) had to wait 27 years
before his first novel was published in English; perhaps if he and Anais Nin had not met we might never have met the literary voice of Henry Miller. Henry and June takes place in Paris where Henry first met Anais Nin, June Miller (Uma Thurman) arrives somewhat later and Anais is quite fascinated by her
and the frivilous Henry. Fred Ward really does an outstanding job as Henry and Mana de Medeiros as Anais is simply superb but they all fade away somewhat when Uma Thurman comnes on the scene; she as the street-smart New Yorker, complete with a decent accent, commands one's attention. It'a fine film and there is also an appearance by Kevin Spacey. Richard E Grant as Hugo, Anais' husband rounds out an excellent cast. I think this film is worth your time.
John
Movie Review: An Erotic and Sensual vision!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Director Philip Kaufman really changed direction with this release. His previous films ranged from bathroom humor "The Wanderers" to epic drama "The Right Stuff". This film changed the ratings system from "X" to NC-17, and with good reason. It was the best film since "Last Tango in Paris" in 1973 that was frank and honest in its sexual depiction without being considered porn. Based on real life author Anais Nin's experiences with controversial writer, Henry Miller and his 2nd wife June during 1930's France. Fred Ward and Uma Thurman give solid performances as the doomed husband and wife. Kevin Spacey shows glimpses of his outstanding acting in a supporting role. It's a notch just below "Last Tango", but still a great film. Consider reading Nin's works as well as Miller's to get an even better understanding.