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Henry & June (1990)

Rate: 5
Viewed: 8/15

HenryJ
8/15: Henry & June is an overlong, flat, and unsexual erotica picture about Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin.

The dialogue is unconvincing. So is the passion. It's basically two hours of faking sex, talking about it, getting thrilled whenever somebody says either "fuck" or "fucking," and having too much of it.

On the other hand, the cinematography is outstanding. In many ways, Henry & June tries hard to be the next 9½ Weeks. Additionally, it's highly comparable, yet similar, to The Unbearable Lightness of Being, with both having been directed by Philip Kaufman. The trouble is that it probably works well for the sexually inexperienced viewers. Otherwise, they'll find a lot of scenes passé. So, it's a matter of showing the film to the right audience.

Despite the negatives, Maria de Medeiros and Uma Thurman give the best performances. The former, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Anaïs Nin, is pretty and surprisingly into her character. The latter comes alive during the last half hour, making her case of how great and important she can be as a supporting actress. Both went on to star in Pulp Fiction four years later.

Trying to accept Fred Ward as Henry Miller, I can never overcome his association with previous works, most especially Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. He doesn't fit the part and is almost a parody of what a lead actor is supposed to be, but he puts in a noble effort by trying his best. As a matter of fact, the role was meant for Alec Baldwin, but he pulled out two weeks before they were set to film. It would've been interesting to see him because he's more than capable of meeting the challenge in a Daniel Day-Lewis way.

All in all, Philip Kaufman's problem is that he spends too much time on the ambience and doesn't know how to translate passion on screen in a convincing manner like Zalman King.