I just got back from seeing the movie Kinsey at the Drexel theater which to my good fortune is only a few blocks away from my place. I’ve been wanting to see this movie for the past few months after I saw the preview in one of my many movie going experiences. Some of this is due in part for my love of slightly offbeat movies but it was mostly influenced by my degree in Psychology. It’s quite like being a moth drawn to a flame.
Anyway, on to the movie! The beginning sets up Dr. Kinsey’s life from childhood (just a few scenes) through his teaching and eventual marriage. His marriage problems (physically) coupled with his inquisitive nature and a push to educate people as best he could (plus a well timed student petition) helped to inspire his work in the field of human reproduction. The film focuses a great deal on his personal life and how skewed it was in comparison to the status quo as well as how the public views his findings. The struggle of a scientist trying to overcome a religious and society driven barrier about being secretive about sexual problems, lifestyles, and habits is often brought up and is a primary focus in the film. All in all I think it is a well acted and relatively good portrayal of what Dr. Kinsey had to go through in his life. As with all movies it is modified from reality in order to make a more dramatic movie going experience but thats how it always is. So get out and see this movie you won’t be disappointed.
In watching this movie some of my college ruminations about sex in modern society came back to the surface. I find it fascinating that after the American Sexual Revolution and the increased knowledge about our own bodies, sexual habits, and increased personal freedoms that we are still as cloistered as we are. You’d think that after all of that people would be more accepting and open minded about other peoples preferences and beliefs. I could go on but I’m just going to link to Eric Meyer’s articles about the marriage laws that were recently passed in Ohio. I think he sums it up far better than I could currently.
