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In her relatively short life, Diane Arbus earned a well-deserved reputation for her candid photographs, many of which focused on those on the fringe. Once you see her work, it’s pretty hard to forget. Even her more "normal" subjects tended to let their hair down and show a different side when she was behind the camera. Her work isn’t for everyone, as is true with most great artists. But, whatever words used to describe Arbus’ photos, "boring" is not one of them.
"Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus" is directed by Steven Shainberg, the man who made the witty "Secretary" four years ago. This movie is visually lavish and provocative, however, it pays the ultimate insult to Arbus — it’s a crashing bore.
"Fur" opens with Arbus (Nicole Kidman) and her husband (Ty Burrell) in their thriving photography studio, which focuses mostly on fashion and advertising. When a strange man (Robert Downey Jr.) moves into the building, Arbus is inexplicably drawn to him. He introduces Arbus to the world of freaks: human beings marginalized by society because their looks don’t fit in.
"Fur" is not a bad movie, although it may have been a better idea to purposely make it so. (Bad movies are seldom boring.) It’s intelligent and makes an admirably serious attempt to examine Arbus’ transformation from a mainstream hausfrau to one of the century’s great photographers.
The problem is — as often happens when icons are portrayed on film — the treatment is too reverent. This woman was totally fearless, getting close to subjects most would cross the street to avoid. Yet the film, though visually beautiful, possesses an undeniable sterility.
It does have its moments, though. There is a tongue-in-cheek wit, particularly when Arbus is getting to know the stranger.
Despite the flaws, the acting is wonderful. Kidman gives a brilliant, nuanced performance and Downey Jr. is stellar. Burrell also is excellent, playing Arbus’ husband, Allan, as a wounded puppy.
"Fur" is certainly daring and needed to be made. Unfortunately, it needed to be made better.
Fur: An Imaginary Portrait
of Diane Arbus
R
One-and-a-half reels out of four
Now playing at the Ritz Bourse
Recommended rental
Two for Turkey Day
After another Thanksgiving at Mom’s, the next step is choosing from all of those big holiday releases opening this week. Here are two don’t-miss recommendations:
"Deja Vu" stars two-time Oscar-winner Denzel Washington as a man who travels back in time to prevent a murder. Opening Nov. 22, the film is directed by action-expert Tony Scott ("Top Gun," "Enemy of the State"). This is Washington and Scott’s third pairing, following 1995’s "Crimson Tide" and 2004’s "Man on Fire."
"Bobby," opening Thanksgiving Day, has Emilio Estevez returning in a big way as writer, director and star of the film that examines the hours leading up to RFK’s assassination in 1968.
