theatertalk Publish time 12-3-2021 06:06:09

An awful movie and an obscene disservice to Arbus' legacy

What were they thinking when they made this truly TERRIBLE film?

Arbus, one of the most important photographers and women of the Twentieth Century, had a fascinating and dramatic life. What possessed anyone to make this film, which explains her unique artistic vision, as being the result of an (imaginary) affair with a grotesque, yet charismatic hairy freak (played by Downey)?

In real life, Arbus broke out of a traditional marriage and woman's role to express herself. In this movie, Arbus is an ultra-dreary Nicole Kidman whose inspiration is all attributed to a "Beauty and The Beast" devotion to an interesting man.

For this reinvention, the film is truly shameful. Independent of that, it is also just dopey and dull.

score 1/10

theatertalk 6 July 2007

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1688014/34904
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