Maybe I have a thing for erotica. Maybe I love artsy-fartsy films about writers in Paris (I loved Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris too). Maybe it’s because I watched  the entire movie in peace without interruptions (even rewinding and replaying dialogue I didn’t catch the first time). Whatever the reason, I found Henry and June (1990) to be wonderful.

Why was I drawn to it in the first place?  It is about writersand reckless abandon in the 1930s. Need I say more?  It is about love and sex in a different era. There is a love

English: Photograph of Anaïs Nin as a teenager...

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triangle between Henry Miller, Anais Nin and Uma Thurman (she plays June Miller in the movie). The story takes place during the time that Henry Miller is writing Tropic of Cancer and Anais Nin is compiling her famous diaries. It’s based on the book of the same name by Anais Nin who is the author of one of my favorite quotes:

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

The Highlights:  

  • The cinematography – The lighting and 1930s settings and imagery make me want to light up a cigarette and glide through a cabaret.
  • After meeting Henry Miller for the first time, Anais Nin writes in her diary, He is a man life intoxicates.  He is like me.  I instantly find both characters interesting.
  • The clothing – This is minor but I love the hats and fitted dresses of this time period.  So feminine. I was so inspired I went on Etsy to see what I could find under vintage 1930s clothing.  Sadly, the dresses for sale of the era are made for extremely dainty women.  One dress had a 17″ waist.  I believe that is what Scarlet O’Hara’s waist was in Gone with the Wind. Scarlet was prone to passing out.
  • The erotica – This film is not for children. Beautiful nudity and sexuality abound with little to no inhibition.  It seems all they did back then was pontificate and fornicate. I suggest you watch Henry and June with someone you are eager to get naked with while viewing the film or if you have superb restraint, afterwards. I watched it by myself and had to cool down with unsexy thoughts of Larry King and Mother Teresa.

What’s Missing?  Some might say a story line.  It does meander and for me the inevitable confrontation with June Miller is anti-climactic (bad pun;).

I saw the overall story as Anais Nin’s liberation from her banker husband and the lifestyle that surrounds them, although she never fully untethers herself from him.  Anais seeks her truth via sexual freedom. As she has dalliances with Henry and June Miller her physical openness fosters openness in her writing, even giving her the courage to share it with Henry Miller – prior to this she has only shown her work to Hugo (her husband).

One other minor flaw- Fred Ward’s (Henry Miller) obvious bald cap and goofy hair ring were a distraction. I wanted him to keep his hat on at ALL times.

Who should watch this film? Anyone with an interest in literary greats.  Anyone who appreciates period pieces and all their cinematic glory and nostalgia.  Anyone who can see sexuality as a means to self-revelation and creativity.