(M) Henry & June (1990, Philip Kaufman) Grade: B
Thoughts: If you are a fan of Henry Miller (Tropic of Cancer) or Anais Nin (Henry & June, House of Incest, Delta of Venus) than you may enjoy this film. The director (Philip Kaufman) also directed Quills, and The Unbearable Lightness Of Being. This is also the film the changed the MPAA rating system and introduced the rating of NC-17 which replaced X. The film Chronicles Anais' self-discovery of sexuality. The film is set in Paris. Being rather bored of her husband she meets Henry Miller and his wife June. She takes a fascination to June which opens the floodgates to her sexual exploration. When June leaves for New York Anais and Henry embark on a love affair but they are both tied to their haunting desire for June. During this time Anais discovers things about herself and her sexuality and the power of a woman. I enjoyed the movie, however I'm not quite sure why it got the NC-17 rating. The literature of Henry Miller and Anais Nin are both far more erotic than this film. Some great cinematography though. I graded it a B because it re-awoke my desire to read more Miller and Nin.