MOVIES - Sept. 17, 1990

‘Henry & June’ in September: Some critics at the Venice Film Festival blasted “Henry & June,” the controversial movie about Henry Miller that earned an X rating for its erotic scenes. But many critics at the festival signed a petition urging the repeal of the rating on grounds that it limits artistic freedom. “Henry & June” was not shown in the 21-film competition, yet its world premiere screening was at the festival Friday. “It was just a bad film,” said Irene Bignardi, critic for Rome’s La Republica. “But even Americans who are rather infantile would not be shocked by it.” Universal Pictures, the film’s producer, has vowed to appeal the Motion Picture Assn. of America’s X rating on Oct. 3.