FUR: AN INAGINARY PORTRAIT OF DIANE ARBUS
RYAN: Well it’s beginning to cool off outside and I guess we wouldn’t mind wearing some fur coats.
CAROLINE: I’m not a huge fan of fur… coats, that is.
RYAN: I’m not a fan of real fur.
CAROLINE: Right.
RYAN: Actually, I’m not into wearing faux fur either.
CAROLINE: Getting to the point – there’s a new movie with Nicole Kidman and it’s called “Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus.”
RYAN: It’s co-starring Robert Downey, Jr.
CAROLINE: Always a pleasure to see him in a film.
RYAN: He stayed off the crack pipe long enough to make another movie.
CAROLINE: (laughs) Indeed.
RYAN: And still… in this movie, you don’t see much of him.
CAROLINE: This is true because he’s covered head to toe in hair.
RYAN: He kind of looks like a modern day Cowardly Lion.
CAROLINE: He reminded me of Chewbacca.
RYAN: Totally Chewie! The movie is“Fur,” by director Steven Shainberg, whom we had the pleasure of interviewing recently on our radio show.
CAROLINE: Yes. And he was a delight; informing us that during the filming he and Nicole developed an “interesting relationship.” You just leave that to your imagination.
RYAN: Overall, I had built up a lot of anticipation to see this film because I love Nikki Kidman.
CAROLINE: I enjoy her; but not as much as you. I was annoyed when I realized in the trailer this would just be another movie where she’s whispering the whole time.
RYAN: And what did you think about that in the actual movie?
CAROLINE: She was actually pretty good. I had previously read she was miscast but I disagree.
RYAN: I adore her. I’ll see any movie she makes, i.e. “Dogville.” But there was one thing that tortured me in the movie… the music. The score was awful.
CAROLINE: Oh really? I kinda dug the music.
RYAN: Please. It was the worst soundtrack to any film in the last five years.
CAROLINE: These are strong words and I can’t help but disagree. Sorry.
RYAN: You should be. But visually it was interesting. She should have been shown taking some more pictures.
CAROLINE: Given that it’s about Diane Arbus, who is a photographer, there is very little actual picture-taking. But I enjoyed it. If you go in knowing it’s a small, indie, very slow moving film, it’s okay. I didn’t mind that it took its time.
RYAN: Nor did I. Though it’s still a bit tedious. Bottom line?
CAROLINE: This is not a must-see. It’s quirky and I dare say, a little bit sexy.
RYAN: Mmm.
CAROLINE: There were a couple good sex scenes – not as hot as “Secretary,” Shainberg’s former film; but I thought they were hot.
RYAN: They are excellent performances by Robert Downey, Jr. and Nicole Kidman.
CAROLINE: He whispers a lot too.
RYAN: Damn! You have sensitive ears, Caroline!
CAROLINE: (laughs)
RYAN: It’s artful but slow and the music ruins moments of it.
CAROLINE: That’s one man’s opinion. I liked the music.
RYAN: Thank you.