Product: Fur - An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)
Rating: 3.0
Birth of Artistic Genius
Steven Shainberg's Fur:An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus is a puzzling film. On one hand it raises the interesting notion that to be a great artist one needs to break free from one's mundane surroundings. On the other hand it has the ability to bask in its own notion of a rather cheesy love story.Nicole Kidman plays Diane Arbus at the turning point of her life. She is a dutiful wife and photography assistant to her husband Allan (Ty Burrell)but she has a wild streak just below the surface that is ready to emerge at any time. Into her existence comes Lionel Sweeney (Rober Downey, Jr.) a new upstairs neighbor who is covered in hair. Instantly facinated Diane decides to take his portrait.The film follows her as she enters his world. We are introduced to the people who will be the subjects of her later photographs. We see her break away from her world as she had lived it and enter upon a new life as an artist.This premise is great and Shainberg brings an Alice in Wonderland feel to the transformation. Where the story falters however is that it turns into a rather conventional love story between Diane and Lionel.The film was very well shot by Bill Pope and convincingly takes its viewers to 1958 New York. then a world of wonders for Ms. Arbus. It must be remembered that this is an imaginary portrait so those looking for information about the photographers life may well be disappointed.The disc also contains deleted scenes (2) the usual HBO First Look featurette and an insightful commentary by Shainberg. Well worth a rental.