Rating: NC17
Genre:
Romance
Theatrical Release: 10/05/1990(USA)
Release Date: 02/23/1999
SubTitles: Espanol/English
Dubbed: English/French
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 137 Minutes
Flags: Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Language
Distributor/Studio: Universal Studios
The real-life relationship between two of the most controversial literary figures of the 20th century forms the basis for this
drama.
Anaïs Nin (
Maria de Medeiros) is a struggling author trying to finish her first book, a study of the work of
D.H. Lawrence. She also has a keen sexual curiosity that is not being satisfied by her sweet but unexciting husband,
Hugo (
Richard E. Grant). Through
Hugo's friend
Richard (
Kevin Spacey),
Anaïs is introduced to
Henry Miller (
Fred Ward), a writer from America who shares
Anaïs' passion for both eros and literature; she is later introduced to
June (
Uma Thurman),
Henry's wife and a practicing bisexual. While
Anaïs is attracted to
Henry, to her surprise, she's even more strongly drawn to
June;
June, however, must return to America, and with her approval,
Henry and
Anaïs begin an affair.
Anaïs' newfound sense of sexual liberation leads her to several new lovers over the next several months, but she and
Henry find themselves pursuing the same object of affection when
June returns to Paris.
Henry & June's frank but tasteful treatment of sexual themes led the MPAA to threaten the film with an X-rating; instead, the film became the first feature released with the revised NC-17 classification.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide