This film was originally not intended as a biopic in the historical sense of the word but it captures wonderfully the ambiance of the creative, artistic, and debauched Paris in the 1930's.
It is narrated by Anais Nin (February 21, 1903 – January 14, 1977) and depicts her meeting with Henry Valentine Miller (December 26, 1891 – June 7, 1980) and his wife June. Their encounter provoked and inspired many literary works of the two today well known writers. The cast is admirably fitting for every intriguing late real-life character. The exquisite cinematography, which reminds us of early sepia photographs, takes us into a marvelously smoky and sultry atmosphere, and the perfectly accurate period costumes and props, as well as the stylishly chosen soundtrack (a must buy CD!), are all flawlessly foregrounded by the slow- paced, yet captivating story line.
The plot is a blend of biographical and fictional facts, Anais' later published sensual diaries and Henry's bawdy 'Tropic of Cancer'. I'm not quite sure how much liberty was taken by the director of the historical facts, though it seemed pretty accurate to me, and having have read Henry's and Anais' books, I was very happy to see that my visual imagery is very close to this movie. Even though heavily dramatized, we do learn about the real life characters' inner turmoils, interactions and inspirations. Some literary quotes, monologues and dialogs references both their works. The movie also contains other hints of other contemporary, today well known, artists like painters, photographers and movie-makers.
The movie is artsy, very sensual, at times verbally and visually blunt in a sexually explicit, though always aesthetically stylized way. Despite of that, it is NOT about sexual obsession, as so many insensitive critics wrote, but rather an uninhibited and bold sensual exploration, mentally as well as carnally (definitely not for the young, 18+!).
The luscious eroticism, melancholic exoticism and mental stimulation makes one's blood rouse and titillates all the senses and I repeat ALL the senses Brilliant! One of my favourite movies unfortunately totally overlooked by the public what a shame...
It is narrated by Anais Nin (February 21, 1903 – January 14, 1977) and depicts her meeting with Henry Valentine Miller (December 26, 1891 – June 7, 1980) and his wife June. Their encounter provoked and inspired many literary works of the two today well known writers. The cast is admirably fitting for every intriguing late real-life character. The exquisite cinematography, which reminds us of early sepia photographs, takes us into a marvelously smoky and sultry atmosphere, and the perfectly accurate period costumes and props, as well as the stylishly chosen soundtrack (a must buy CD!), are all flawlessly foregrounded by the slow- paced, yet captivating story line.
The plot is a blend of biographical and fictional facts, Anais' later published sensual diaries and Henry's bawdy 'Tropic of Cancer'. I'm not quite sure how much liberty was taken by the director of the historical facts, though it seemed pretty accurate to me, and having have read Henry's and Anais' books, I was very happy to see that my visual imagery is very close to this movie. Even though heavily dramatized, we do learn about the real life characters' inner turmoils, interactions and inspirations. Some literary quotes, monologues and dialogs references both their works. The movie also contains other hints of other contemporary, today well known, artists like painters, photographers and movie-makers.
The movie is artsy, very sensual, at times verbally and visually blunt in a sexually explicit, though always aesthetically stylized way. Despite of that, it is NOT about sexual obsession, as so many insensitive critics wrote, but rather an uninhibited and bold sensual exploration, mentally as well as carnally (definitely not for the young, 18+!).
The luscious eroticism, melancholic exoticism and mental stimulation makes one's blood rouse and titillates all the senses and I repeat ALL the senses Brilliant! One of my favourite movies unfortunately totally overlooked by the public what a shame...