Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bored housewife falls for a hairy neighbor who encourages her to take pictures of people society deems ‘weird,’ leading to a questionable romance and an artistic awakening fueled by existential ennui and questionable lung capacity.

🍿 Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Diane’s Frustration

In 1958 New York City, Diane Arbus, played by Nicole Kidman, is a frustrated upper-class housewife and mother. She works as an assistant to her husband, Allan, a commercial photographer. Diane feels stifled by the expectations of her social class and longs for something more meaningful.

Meeting Lionel Sweeney

Diane’s life takes an unexpected turn when Lionel Sweeney, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., moves into the apartment upstairs. Lionel suffers from hypertrichosis, a condition causing excessive hair growth all over his body. Intrigued by his unique appearance, Diane is drawn to Lionel and begins to form a connection with him. This marks the beginning of her journey into a world far removed from her privileged upbringing.

Exploration of the Unconventional

Lionel introduces Diane to a community of marginalized individuals, including circus performers and people with physical differences. These encounters challenge Diane’s perceptions of beauty and normalcy. She starts taking photographs of these subjects, finding a sense of purpose and artistic expression that was previously lacking in her life. Diane’s relationship with Lionel deepens as she explores this new world.

The Affair and its Consequences

Diane’s growing intimacy with Lionel leads to an affair that strains her marriage. She becomes increasingly distant from her husband and children, prioritizing her artistic pursuits and her connection with Lionel. The affair forces Diane to confront her desires and the constraints of her conventional life. Her husband, Allan, witnesses the impact of Lionel’s presence on their marriage.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Diane Arbus (Nicole Kidman): A frustrated upper-class housewife who discovers her artistic passion through an unconventional relationship.
• Lionel Sweeney (Robert Downey Jr.): A mysterious, hirsute man with hypertrichosis who becomes Diane Arbus’s lover and artistic muse.
• Allan Arbus (Ty Burrell): Diane’s conventional photographer husband who struggles to understand her changing desires.
• Gertrude Nemerov (Jane Alexander): Diane’s wealthy and somewhat overbearing mother.
• David Nemerov (Harris Yulin): Diane’s father, a furrier, representing her established background.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Diane Arbus: “I saw you through my window and right away I wanted to take a portrait of you.” – Diane expresses her initial fascination with Lionel, highlighting her immediate desire to capture his unique appearance.
• Lionel Sweeney: “I’ve been waiting for a real freak.” – Lionel says this to Diane, hinting at his perception of her as someone who doesn’t quite fit into conventional society.
• Allan Arbus: “I’m a normal guy, now I have a hole in my ceiling and freaks coming through it.” – Allan expresses his bewilderment and frustration as his wife becomes increasingly involved with Lionel and his unconventional friends.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,800,000
• Domestic Gross: $223,202
• Worldwide Gross: $2,312,717

💥 Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus Reviews

Personal Review

I found “Fur” to be a strange and unsettling movie. I wasn’t familiar with Diane Arbus before watching, so I can’t speak to its accuracy, but the relationship between Kidman and Downey Jr.’s character was captivating and disturbing. I was really drawn in by the visuals and the overall mood, but it left me with a lot of questions about identity, beauty, and the nature of art. The scene at the nudist colony felt both liberating and incredibly awkward. Overall, a thought-provoking film, but definitely not for everyone!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey Jr.”
  • “Viewers interested in unconventional love stories”
  • “Those fascinated by the life and work of Diane Arbus”
  • “Audiences who appreciate art-house films with unique visual styles”
  • “Adults open to exploring themes of sexuality and personal transformation”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• TVLine.com: “Shainberg’s direction is creative and interesting; still, the film has many very weak points. There are really A LOT of unintentionally funny things.
• User Review: “However, it’s not the banality of the story that is the main flaw in this film, but the director’s misogynistic stance that Diane Arbus, one of the art world’s most singular and original woman photographers, was incapable of forming her own ideas about her work.
• User Review: “Kidman’s performance is good, but not mind-blowing. Robert Downey Jr.’s is more interesting: with his face completely covered with hair he manage to create a rather intriguing character, acting just with his eyes and his beautiful voice. I must say that after the screening the press audience was pretty harsh with the film. It’s not really a BAD movie, one can say that in its way it has also a kind of weird charm.

Audience Reactions

Visually stunning and provacative: Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey Jr.’s performances

The odd subject is handled with impeccable effects and a stunning acting: The movie has elements that are both avant-garde and gothic

Overall Consensus: “Fur” is a divisive film. Many find it visually compelling and thought-provoking, with strong performances, but others criticize its historical inaccuracies and odd storyline.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on Patricia Bosworth’s biography ‘Diane Arbus,’ though it takes significant creative liberties with Arbus’s life.”
• “Robert Downey Jr. underwent extensive makeup and prosthetics to portray Lionel Sweeney’s hypertrichosis, requiring hours in the makeup chair each day.”
• “Director Steven Shainberg also directed ‘Secretary’, known for its exploration of unconventional relationships and themes of sexuality and identity.”

🖥️ How to Watch Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus?

Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite services. Unfortunately, at the moment, the movie is not available on major streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, you might like these similar films:

• Secretary (2002): Directed by Steven Shainberg, this film also explores themes of unconventional relationships and sexual awakening through a unique lens.
• The Hours (2002): Features a woman grappling with societal expectations and seeking personal fulfillment, similar to Diane Arbus’s journey of self-discovery.
• La Belle et la Bête (1946): A classic tale of beauty and the beast, exploring the themes of inner beauty and unconventional love, similar to the relationship between Diane and Lionel.

🛒 Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus Related Products

• Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph: A seminal collection of Diane Arbus’s photographs, providing a comprehensive look at her groundbreaking and controversial work.
• Diane Arbus: A Biography by Patricia Bosworth: This biography delves into the life of Diane Arbus, offering a detailed account of her personal struggles and artistic development, challenging the film’s narrative.
• Funko Pop! Artist Series: Diane Arbus: A stylized vinyl figure of Diane Arbus, capturing her iconic look and artistic spirit.
• Diane Arbus – Photograph Poster Print: High-quality print of one of Diane Arbus’s most famous photographs, perfect for adding a touch of artistic flair to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Midnight Romance” – performed by Alain Leroux

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Robert Downey Jr ate my heart (hot video)

Obsessed with Robert Downey Jr.? This fan video showcases some of his best roles, including ‘Fur’! I especially liked the clips from his earlier work; it really shows how versatile he is.

Nicole Kidman

Love Nicole Kidman? Check out this video montage featuring scenes from her films, including her role in ‘Fur’! I never realized how many amazing movies she’s been in.

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