Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus or How a Woman Fell in Love with The Grotesque

This movie is 18+.

SPOILER REVIEW.

What can I say of this movie? Is not for people that want a completely historically accurate biography or are history nerds or even Diane Arbus nerds. In fact that’s why is called an imaginary portrait. Nothing that you see here is real or happened. 

But jeez, this movie is so artistic and a beautiful monster romance. Long story short, the plots tells the story of Diane Arbus (played by a magnificent Nicole Kidman), a housewife that serves as her husband assistance in his photography study. Diane has two very rich, very oppressive parents and a very supporting husband. And two kids. But somehow, she feels trapped in this suburban life. Later she meets a strange new neighbor, Lionel.

Lionel, played by a Robert Downey. Jr, who I didn’t recognize the first forty five minutes that I watched the movie until I put the volume to maximum because he was completely covered in fur. 

And when I mean covered with fur, I mean completely. 

The man in question has a condition called hypertricosis, wish is known as the Werewolf Illness and is dying because of it. 

He is a wig maker and ex circus freak that attracts Diane with his wit and helps her to explore her fascination with the grotesque. While her husband does photographs to models and clothes. Diane starts to be fascinated by corps, people with with abnormal features, nudists, etc. 

What I love more of this movie? The eroticism. The actors have a breathtaking sexual tension to but their romance is constructed slow and taking their mutual interests and dreams. There are scenes when they talk about sex, scenes when they are naked and just inches from each other, but they don’t touch. Hell, we don’t even see Lionel’s face until the last twenty minutes of the movie, but unlike other monster romances when the public is somehow disappointed because the monster returned to his “prince” state, here there is another plot point sides them making love. In any way, the sexual tension and the building of their relationship is so good that you don’t care if Diane screwed the guy being furry or not. 

But part of me says that RDJ can be sexy even if he is covered with fur like, hell. 

(But also is pretty funny when she cuts shaves his hair because she cuts him pretty badly in some parts and the the haircut is sloppy AF).

The ending is bittersweet, since Lionel dies, but they make love for the first/last time before he dies and is a beautiful scene. Diane leaves her family (yeah, she is not pretty perfect princess protagonist so prepare yourselves) and becomes a famous photographer. 

So. totally marvelous, brilliant movie. A monster romance the please the Prince and Monster lovers, because he doesn’t change in personality at all when he goes “prince”. Beautiful cinematography and marvelous acting. Take a look, Reylo fandom! 

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Submission by @ambitious-witch