Henry & June (1990)

An erotic drama

Erotic, shocking and dramatic would be the three words to describe this film. Maria de Medeiros is perfect as the young writter and so was Fred Ward in the role of 'Henry', excellent chemistry between both the fine artists. Uma's appearence may have been brief but she does deliver a sattisfying performence, beautifull settings, locations of Paris. Definately worth a watch. October 21, 2008

Anaïs Nin: "Something is always born of excess...

... great art was born of great terror, great loneliness, great inhibitions, instabilities, and it always balances them."

"Henry & June" (1990) by Philip Kaufman which is based on the book by Anais Nin is a wonderful film, a rare and admirable example of how an art-house erotic film should be made. It tells an interesting story that concerns the famous and scandalous American writer Henry Miller during the period of work on his first major work, "Tropic of Cancer" in 1931 in Paris and two women without whom the book would not have happened. One of them is his wife, June Miller, who is a constant presence under the different names in all Miller's works. The other - Henry's (and June's) close friend, lover, and confidant, Anais Nin. The film is an adaptation or mediation over the Anais Nin's journal which she wrote for 60 years and described in it the intimate details her inner world, including experiences with sexuality, and the meetings and relationships with prominent bohemian personalities of literature and art, who came from around the world to Paris, always known as the Mecca for creative individuals. Nin said about her life long writing in diary, "This diary is my kief, hashish, and opium pipe. This is my drug and my vice." Anais met in Paris provincial but talented non-conformist Miller and his exotic, sensual, and irresistible wife June (Uma Thurman never looked so attractive, as in this movie) and began affairs with both of them that would change their lives and influence enormously both Miller's and Nin's literary work. Anais is also known and praised as one of the first and the finest female writers of erotica. One of the reasons for film's success was director/writer Philip Kaufman's ability to delicately transfer to the screen the erotic intense atmosphere of Nin's writing as well as the spirit of Bohemian Paris in the beginning of the 1930s.


At the of Anais' request, her journal was published only after the death of all the participants in the events. Anais' relationship with Henry and June, which led to her own realization as writer, served as the basis for the Philip Kaufman's film. Kaufman wrote the script together with his wife Rose, and made a brilliant, disturbing, outrageous film, which had made history by having been the first USA film to receive the NR-17 Rating, so called "kiss of death". Henry and June is an adult film in the literal meaning of this word, it is the movie made for adults which explores in the insightful, exiting and artistic way the motivations, inspirations, and desires of the famous figures of Art. The acting is universally good with terrific Maria de Medeiros as Anais Nin. It is impossible to take one's eyes off her face - so charming, lovely, and desirable she is. She possesses the power of commanding the screen and she is the best thing in the movie which belongs to her Anais Nin.
October 20, 2008

Splendid Work of Art

Henry and June is the tale of colleagues who become lovers, yet remained married to others. This movie is sensual, sensational, stimulating, sexy, smart. It tells a story about how passion can overcome those who work together and admire their minds as well as their bodies. Aspects of infidelity as being not such a horrible sin, of love between women as natural, and of jealousy are treated realistically. There are plots and subplots intertwined. The characters are well developed. Also, the filmography is unusual and beautiful June 14, 2008

Women who believe playing heads games by being

mysterious in the belief that it makes them "creative" will like this film. As will those who don't (yet) see through Nin's phoniness.

When Nin was having an affair with Otto Rank, she took a trip to the US. As a going away gift, Rank gave her a dress. When she returned he noticed a hole in the dress, cut with scissors. She told him she'd spilled wine on it aboard ship. Actually, what she cut out was a semen stain.

It's easy to be "mysterious" if one is a serial liar.

Other than that, the autobiography, the descriptions of the others in Nin's life at that time (her then-husband being conveniently passive), are interesting a few times through. But Nin's narcissism, head-games, and deceits are quickly more than one can tolerate.

Two stars: one because the film is in color. The other because it has actors/acresses in it. I would have given it a third star because it had words in it, but those were written by Nin, so haven't any particular distinction or value as concerns imparting any substantial truths.
May 15, 2008

Interesting movie, regular edition

I purchased this because the R2 european edition doesn't have spanish subtitles. Both editions have regular-to-bad video and audio trasfers, what is quite disappointing because this movie's cinematography is lovely.

Seldom [wrongly] clasified as soft erotic, the movie itself is quite appealing, specially for those interested in Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller figures and artists life in Paris at late 20s. May 5, 2008

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