Henry & June (1990)

Henry & June (1990) is a bold, artistic, and unapologetically sensual film directed by Philip Kaufman. It dives into the complex love triangle between writer Henry Miller, his wife June, and diarist Anaïs Nin in 1930s Paris. Adapted from Anaïs Nin’s unexpurgated diaries, the movie explores passion, jealousy, and creative awakening.

Detailed Summary

Anaïs Meets Henry and June

The story begins with Anaïs Nin (Maria de Medeiros), already a married woman, meeting the charismatic but struggling American writer Henry Miller (Fred Ward). Intrigued by his raw energy and revolutionary writing style, she also becomes fascinated with his enigmatic wife, June Miller (Uma Thurman).

Growing Obsession

Anaïs becomes increasingly captivated by Henry’s uninhibited lifestyle and June’s beauty. Her relationship with her husband Hugo (Richard E. Grant) remains stable but passionless, while Henry ignites a fire of intellectual and sexual curiosity within her.

The Love Triangle Deepens

Anaïs and Henry begin a passionate affair. At the same time, Anaïs develops a deep emotional and physical attraction to June. This entanglement blurs the lines between desire, betrayal, and artistic inspiration. Paris itself, portrayed as a world of smoky bars and dim-lit apartments, becomes the backdrop for this intoxicating love triangle.

Jealousy and Possession

Henry, though sexually liberated, becomes jealous of the connection between Anaïs and June. June, equally jealous of Henry and Anaïs, manipulates the situation in her own favor. The relationships are chaotic, swinging between passion and destruction, but they also fuel Anaïs’s growth as a writer.

Movie Ending

In the final act, June departs for New York, leaving Henry and Anaïs behind in Paris. Her absence creates a void, but also removes one piece of the volatile love triangle. Anaïs continues her affair with Henry, even as her marriage to Hugo deteriorates further.

The movie closes with Anaïs reflecting on her choices. She acknowledges the pain, betrayal, and chaos caused by her desires, but also embraces the liberation and artistic inspiration she has gained. The ending does not resolve the triangle neatly—instead, it captures the essence of Nin’s diaries: a woman unafraid to pursue love, sex, and art, regardless of the consequences.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Henry & June does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the final moments fade, the story ends there, true to its 1990s arthouse roots.

Type of Movie

The film is a biographical erotic drama, blending romance, historical context, and artistic exploration. It was also the very first film to receive the NC-17 rating in the United States.

Cast

• Fred Ward as Henry Miller
• Uma Thurman as June Miller
• Maria de Medeiros as Anaïs Nin
• Richard E. Grant as Hugo Guiler
• Kevin Spacey as Richard Osborn

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Mark Adler, with a mix of period-appropriate French café music, jazz, and atmospheric instrumentals. The soundtrack enhances the sensual, bohemian feel of 1930s Paris.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in Paris, France and Lisbon, Portugal, which stood in for Paris in some scenes. These locations were crucial in capturing the authentic bohemian atmosphere of the time and giving the film a sense of place that felt both nostalgic and sensual.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated for Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Philippe Rousselot).
• Nominated for Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography.
  The film was critically praised for its bold visuals and performances, though its NC-17 rating limited its commercial success.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Henry & June was the first film to receive the NC-17 rating, replacing the more stigmatized “X” rating.
• Uma Thurman was only 19 during filming, which sparked discussion about her maturity in portraying such an explicit role.
• Philip Kaufman insisted on creating authentic, lived-in sets instead of using backlots to capture the raw, bohemian vibe of Paris.
• Fred Ward prepared for his role by reading Miller’s works and studying his distinctive mannerisms.

Inspirations and References

The movie is adapted directly from Anaïs Nin’s diaries, specifically Henry and June: From “A Journal of Love”. These diaries were published posthumously and revealed Nin’s candid sexual experiences and creative awakening, which were not included in her earlier, more censored diary publications.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely released alternate endings. However, some early cuts of the film reportedly contained even more explicit material, which was trimmed to keep focus on the emotional and artistic elements rather than just the erotic.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While based closely on Anaïs Nin’s diary, the film condenses and dramatizes events. Certain secondary characters and details were omitted, and the timeline was streamlined for cinematic pacing. The biggest difference lies in the movie’s focus on the triangle, whereas the diaries are broader, detailing many more of Nin’s experiences.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Anaïs’s first meeting with June, bathed in soft light and mystery.
• The erotic encounters between Anaïs and Henry, intercut with reflections on writing.
• June’s departure, a turning point that shifts the balance of the story.

Iconic Quotes

• Anaïs Nin: “I wanted to be free. I wanted to live.”
• Henry Miller: “Chaos is the score upon which reality is written.”
• June Miller: “Beauty is a kind of death.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The typewriter Henry uses is historically accurate to what he owned during that time.
• The café scenes were shot in actual Parisian cafés where Miller himself once wrote.
• Many lines of dialogue are taken word-for-word from Anaïs Nin’s diaries.

Trivia

• The film’s NC-17 rating caused many theaters not to screen it, limiting its box office run.
• Maria de Medeiros later played Fabienne in Pulp Fiction (1994), making her recognizable to a wider audience.
• Richard E. Grant (Hugo) reportedly improvised several of his jealous husband lines to give them raw authenticity.

Why Watch?

Watch Henry & June if you’re interested in art, literature, or films that don’t shy away from exploring sexuality as part of the creative process. It’s visually stunning, provocative, and rooted in real literary history.

Director’s Other Movies (Philip Kaufman)

• The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
• The Right Stuff (1983)
• Quills (2000)
• Rising Sun (1993)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
• Last Tango in Paris (1972)
• Belle de Jour (1967)
• Quills (2000)
• Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)