Interesting Article About Fur (some Details), from Fox news Options

[romantic]

Full Frontal For New Nicole Flick
Friday, September 29, 2006

By Roger Friedman




Full Frontal For New Nicole Flick

Nicole Kidman’s new movie, "Fur," is going to be remembered for many things but one in particular: lots of nude people. I mean, like naked men and women, full frontal the whole deal.

"Fur," directed by Steve Shainberg, is an imagined story about the life of legendary photographer Diane (pronounced “de-ahn”) Arbus. Arbus’ revered work included nude portraits of regular people, as well as many hundreds of sitting with irregular types: short people, tall people, and even a woman who used her feet for hands.

The film, which is simultaneously genius and bizarre, features the greatest selection of “freakish” characters since Woody Allen’s “Stardust Memories.” Whoever did the secondary casting deserves a prize.

But what will catch most attention when “Fur” is released on November 10th are the opening scenes when Arbus, played brilliantly I thought by Kidman, arrives to take pictures at a nudist colony. Right away, we are treated to what the British call “naughty bits” and plenty of them. Shainberg does not shy away from it at all. But believe me, there’s nothing erotic here. These are not models from a Madonna video.

Later in the film, Kidman and Robert Downey Jr. – who plays a kind of imagined hairy beast who lives above the Arbuses in their apartment house—have a sex scene slightly more graphic that we’re used to in a Kidman film. And later, when the nudist colony scene picks up, Kidman flashes one breast just long enough to be surprising (and not unwelcome). And of course, there’s more of the colonists.

It’s a little early to tell you more about “Fur,” except to explain the title. Arbus’ parents were very wealthy New York furriers, and there is a tie in thematically between the chinchillas and minks they sell and Downey’s hirsute recluse with whom Kidman’s Arbus falls in love. It makes sense, just wait and see.

This much I will tell you also now: “Fur” puts Nicole into the very hotly contested Best Actress race with Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Renee Zellweger, *you know who* Cruz, Meryl Streep, and Helen Mirren. “Fur” will also garner attention for spectacular cinematography by Bill Pope (he did the “Matrix” movies) and an unbelievably good jazz score by Carter Burwell. I want the soundtrack now!

[Grace Margaret M...]

you beat me by a few minutes
this sounds really interesting, let's hope nic will be as good as they say

[Samantha Stevens]

thanks!
ciao

[romantic]

I saw that Grace...we we're thinking alike at the same time. Sorry. I couldn't wait to post this article after reading it. It sheds some new light on this film...and the writer calls Kidman's portrayal "brilliant." The film gets more and more interesting the closer to its release.

[Grace Margaret M...]

I saw that Grace...we we're thinking alike at the same time.  Sorry.  I couldn't wait to post this article after reading it.  It sheds some new light on this film...and the writer calls Kidman's portrayal "brilliant."  The film gets more and more interesting the closer to its release.

no problem, when it comes to post exciting articles about nic and her films one cannot be fast enough
yeah, this article deals with some things previously unmentioned but very intriguing. wann see this film

[The_sparkling_di...]

Thank you, romantic.

[RedSatinDoll]

Thanks romantic.

I thought what mattered most here was the "Played brilliantly by Kidman" bit (I just hope this is an honest opinion and Mr. Friedman isn't on the studio's dole in one way or another. You never can tell nowadays. Was this written to counter some of the negative comments that have been floating out - most of which seem to have come from people who haven't seen the film, or say "It's too weird, she won't get an Oscar" and that is somehow supposed to be sufficient reason to avoid the film? Please, spare me from the "made specifically to win awards and prestige" school of filmmaking.) But of course the sex/nudity got the bulk of the article. I wonder if that's necessary (I don't care for reviews that give plot points away - there's a reason that the filmmakers wrote it so she is seen being asked to "uncover herself" at the beginning but her response is not seen until the end.) Of course the writer knows this is going to catch attention.

And, unfortunately - it does. Full confession: I am more intrigued than ever. The trailer hints at the erotic but has such a clean, almost sanitized look to Diane's 1950's surroundings (definitely fairy-taleish, with a house that is "too" bright and everything "too" much in place - including Diane herself); the trailer hints that darker things are going on and this review confirms it - that Shainberg "goes there".

Not a film for some of our younger viewers perhaps - but then again, I am (perhaps unrealistically) shocked when I read posts from members who saw EWS at 13 or 14 - and "got it" and were not the least uncomfortable. (I guess I was more "sheltered" growing up than I ever imagined.)

This post has been edited by RedSatinDoll: Sep 30 2006, 12:07 AM

[sanja]

Thanks,romantic!

[scarlett]

Thanks romantic. A very intriguing article. I have to say that it makes me want to see it even more. I too hope that the 'brilliant performance' is indeed earnest feedback.

[adrian]

Full Frontal For New Nicole Flick

Wierd heading for an article But anyway, I knew it! If you search for my comment in the trailer thread, I said I can see strong nudity comming from Nicole in here...

a sex scene slightly more graphic that we’re used to in a Kidman film

Well, I have some wild imagination but can't imagine what could be more "graphic" than those black/white flashbacks Tom was having of her and the sailor in EWS, the kinky sex she had as a Russian mail bride or that love scene from Cold Mountain in which she had to wear a patch of fake hair on her... ehm "lower body" because of the explicit filming angle

Anyhow, she is acting smartly as usual, I believe her plan is to make Fur her last effort at eroticism and nudity which she did -cleanly and classy- more frequently than any other A list actress except maybe for Charlize. Now she's married properly in Church and turning 40, she'll start a new chapter as a new, more conservative Nicky (weird coupling of smilies but I'm happy for her yet will miss naughty Nicole )



This post has been edited by adrian: Sep 30 2006, 03:45 AM

[adrian]

Not a film for some of our younger viewers perhaps - but then again, I am (perhaps unrealistically) shocked when I read posts from members who saw EWS at 13 or 14 - and "got it" and were not the least uncomfortable.  (I guess I was more "sheltered" growing up than I ever imagined.)

Dear Satine, this is due to the internatinal nature of this board and the varaity of censorship laws worldwide. In Netherlands, Sweden and France they show uncut movies to 12 years olds that was rated R (US) 18 (UK) after being cut!!! UK censors are more open to sex and nudity than the US ones, but very strict when it comes to violence. So we see the "group fun" scene of EWS playing unedited in UK but edited in US, while in the mean time "Last House on the Left" is available unedited in the US but Banned in UK.

Every country has it's sensitivity; Holocaust, sex, religion, violence, Royals, Minors etc..

Here everything is banned, so by the time I was 9 I had already seen everything but using backdoors. And that is why I think censorship is stupid and only adds to confusion. You do not see more sexual crime rates from the censorship free Scandinavia and sure rate of violent crimes in UK is not lower than Netherlands or Spain.

Did I give you any roses this week? Here is one to be sure

[NicoleFan17]

Just when I thought my interest couldn't get ANY higher....Thanks romantic! As Red said, there was an erotic undertone in the trailer but this actually goes further then what I was expecting. Were going into EWS territory here. And to tell you the truth, that is one of my favorite aspects about Nic. That she isn't afraid to go there.

I'm going to be there the first chance I get but I can't help but feel sorry for our younger(but still vastly mature) members who may miss out.

This post has been edited by NicoleFan17: Sep 30 2006, 04:35 AM

[RedSatinDoll]

Anyhow, she is acting smartly as usual, I believe her plan is to make Fur her last effort at eroticism and nudity which she did -cleanly and classy- more frequently than any other A list actress except maybe for Charlize. Now she's married properly in Church and turning 40, she'll start a new chapter as a new, more conservative Nicky        (weird coupling of smilies but I'm happy for her yet will miss naughty Nicole  )

I won't assume that it's her "last effort at eroticism" Adrian, if I may respectfully beg to differ? We won't know that until her life and career are over ("It ain't over 'til it's over"), and I certainly don't know what her plans or intentions are.

I'm not sure why her being married and turning 40 should mean the end of "erotic" roles. She did erotic material whilst married before (and a mother, and a Catholic, if not always a practicing one); and why must "turning 40" mean she has to switch gears? Male actors are not expected to cease doing erotic roles or love scenes - they just keep demanding younger and younger actresses. The great myth in our culture that modern (primarily American) cinema contributes to is the notion that women after 40 cease to be "women" in the fullest sense, and cease to be sexual beings and have an active sensual lives and imaginations - if indeed they are allowed to exist onscreen at all. I assure you nothing is further from the truth. (My personal view is that we don't really to begin to enter our womanhood, our sense of ourselves, until we start approaching our mid-30's to 40's.)

There's been a great deal of hair-tearing from all quarters about Nicole approaching 40, as if that were some sort of tragedy, for which we must prepare the eulogies. ("She has a great career going - and then she turned 40. Such a shame.") It's coming from everyone's pens and tongues except Nicole's own. We don't fuss over male actors turning 40 - they just keep going in their careers. They same should be true of Nicole - I think we're going to see continued layers and depths and surprises from her (if she decides to keep acting and there are well-written roles that interest her and visionary directors that excite her). The future may or may not hold more overtly erotic roles for her (and erotic as we know does not necessarily mean "nude" or "explicitly sexual"), but no one (including the critics such as David Thomson, who claims to be a 'concerned stranger') not put any barriers or prohibitions on what work she may or may not do as an actress - indeed, what she may or may not do in any part of her life. The choice is her's and her's alone.

This post has been edited by RedSatinDoll: Sep 30 2006, 04:30 AM

[adrian]

I'm not sure why her being married and turning 40 should mean the end of "erotic" roles.

It is never about her being less "sexy" or "erotic" once she hit 40. But it is more the perception of people who -while we may think are being silly- are the ones who pay money to watch a film. Look at "Basic Instinc 2" by one of the biggest Icons of Erotica. 8 of each 10 negative reviews were nothing about the film itself, rather ridiculing Sharon's age in a manner that seemed very childish from some critics.

I can understand that you, being at the steps of 40 yourself, would not accept any implication that this would make you less sexually desirable by men, but this is not waht I'm saying! I'm watching movie viewers' perception of over 40 actresses as erotic figures and predict that Nicole, as smart as she is, will not put herself in a position to be exposed to such criticism, and I have always been good at predictions

  (My personal view is that we don't really to begin to enter our womanhood, our sense of ourselves, until we start approaching our mid-30's to 40's.) 

My view too. My best relation ever was with a 42 woman when I was 25. Security, maturity and enough experience to avoid any stupid behaviour or fall outs and of course this reflected itself on intimacy, taking it to levels like nothing I've experienced before. It only ended because society pressure was too big for us to handle.



P.S. when you make posts without any smilies I get the feeling that you want to punch me on the nose

This post has been edited by adrian: Sep 30 2006, 05:14 AM

[scarlett]

P.S. when you make posts without any smilies I get the feeling that you want to punch me on the nose 

This is indeed getting interesting but we're right back where we were some threads ago talking about the opportunities that over 40 actresses have and the impression of society - and critics -that their careers or that 'part' of their lives are over. Maybe not the exact discussion but still relevant.

I thought that I was going against the grain at the time thinking that the underpinnings of society still go against the woman over 40. I think we all agree it's a slanted view, but it still persists in one fashion or another. Nicole doesn't seem to be sweating it but it's still discussed as a milestone of sorts. I'd love to see her prove them wrong...she has plenty of fantastic roles left in her...whatever she so chooses. Of course in my view, she need not prove anything...

This post has been edited by scarlett: Sep 30 2006, 09:34 AM

[luis]

Wierd heading for an article   But anyway, I knew it! If you search for my comment in the trailer thread, I said I can see strong nudity comming from Nicole in here...
Well, I have some wild imagination but can't imagine what could be more "graphic" than those black/white flashbacks Tom was having of her and the sailor in EWS, the kinky sex she had as a Russian mail bride or that love scene from Cold Mountain in which she had to wear a patch of fake hair on her... ehm "lower body" because of the explicit filming angle  

Anyhow, she is acting smartly as usual, I believe her plan is to make Fur her last effort at eroticism and nudity which she did -cleanly and classy- more frequently than any other A list actress except maybe for Charlize. Now she's married properly in Church and turning 40, she'll start a new chapter as a new, more conservative Nicky      (weird coupling of smilies but I'm happy for her yet will miss naughty Nicole  )

And what can be more Graphic than " Birth"! I prefer to see Nicole with all her clothes, but I don't think that would happen.

[BabyNick]

Thanx 4 da article Romantic 41 days til November 10th Even tho it will probs b shown in da UK later on

~Viviana~

[adrian]

And what can be more Graphic than " Birth"!

Birth was conterversial, but not graphic.

I prefer to see Nicole with all her clothes, but I don't think that would happen.

I have no idea what does this mean? You can skip movies with nudity, I believe!

[Gillian]

Thanks romantic.

[elegant_fan]

thank you so much romantic. lol.
I was thinking of taking my mom to see the film with me;
now i think im having second thoughts lol....
but im excited that nicole will have another "serious, deep" movie
i think those are the best ones she makes