Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998) Reviews

Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998)
Member Rating:  
This British biographical drama probes the life of painter Francis Bacon (1909-1992), critically acclaimed as the outstanding British painter of the latter half of the 20th Century. This unsympathetic portrait of Bacon (Derek Jacobi) begins when George Dyer (Daniel Craig), a small-time criminal from working-class East End environs, drops through a skylight to rob Bacon's studio -- and is ordered into bed by Bacon. The two become a familiar couple at Bacon's hangout, the Colony Room in Soho. Bacon's sexual interests lean toward S&M, but as the cruel Bacon loses interest in Dyer and begins to look elsewhere, the couple splits. Left to his own devices, Dyer turns to drugs and alcohol -- and a tragic suicide. Visual grotesqueries and a trancelike Ryuichi Sakamoto music score capture the essence of Bacon's work (although paintings by Bacon are not seen onscreen here). The film is told in the form of a flashback from Bacon's successful 1971 retrospective at the Grand Palais in Paris to a period in the mid-'60s. Bacon biographer Daniel Farson (The Gilded Gutter Life of Francis Bacon) served as consultant on the film. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Starring:
Derek Jacobi, Daniel Craig, (more)
Director(s):
John Maybury
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(10 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Sandy L.

This movie was well put together-kind of strange for no reason in parts but excellent acting and an accurate portrayal of Bacon's life and how he lived it- Daniel craig did a great job acting-would definitely recommend this movie if you like different movies and don't mind seeing nude men with quirky somewhat sick sex lives.

Yes   |   No


Jordan L.

I'm not a fan of gay films or Francis Bacon at all, but this film blew my mind. I can't even say I like it, but I'm glad I watched. Terrific acting, HEAVY storyline! This film was put together like a bad dream, made to launch the viewer into the lives of these people, displaying with great detail the emotions of these characters. Recommended for those who are looking for something different, but definitely not a popcorn movie!

Yes   |   No


Greg C.

If your slant in movies is toward art house fare then this should fit. The way its shot using great angles and various lenses keeps it interesting. and definitely adds rather than detract. Even though it only covered a very short period in Bacon's life it was a rather intriguing one. Certainly not an uplifting film as it shows how people tend to use each other for various reasons. I found Daniel Craigs character, George, just as interesting as the Bacon character.

Yes   |   No


Robert R.

The story involves the relationship period Frances Bacon (Jacobi) spent with his tragically unbalanced partner, George Dyer (a pensive portrayal by Daniel Craig). The film includes several well-acted social vignettes (such as bar conversation scenes) that serve as its narrative of sorts. Interspersed in the movie are montages showing a variety of provocative images derived of the couple's rough sexual acts and various fantasy sequences as well as images of violence - all of which apparently influence Bacon's artworks. In the bar scenes Tilda Swinton (one of the bar regulars, Muriel) is nearly unrecognizable with her prosthetic Quasimoto teeth. Overall the movie is a stark portrait of extremes in the human condition when minds are influenced by drugs, alcohol, money, and mutually accepted moratorium on boundaries. This, I suppose, is intended to give insight into the artist.

Yes   |   No


Joshua G.

Interesting movie. Weird in some places and good at demonstrating a manipulative personality.

Yes   |   No


Frank S.

Daniel Craig was outstanding

Yes   |   No


Thomas S.

I did not get to finish this movie due to disk issues. This picture is filled with people who are cruel constantly to each other. If this is gay life, not for me. I contemplated getting this due to the Daniel Craig sightings-and a few are nice-but I am glad I did not spend money to purchase this.

Yes   |   No


Gary S.

Disappointment sums up my feelings for this movie. It only covers a very small portion of the artist's life and focusses on his ambivalent feelings of one lover. If you're not conversant in cockney dialect, be prepared to miss the meaning of more than half the dialogue. Otherwise, the movie is well acted and directed.

Yes   |   No


John W.

Strange, schizophrenic schlock.

Yes   |   No


Tracy C.

This was a waste of time... the only redeeming factor was full frontal nudity of Daniel Craig, had to fast fwd just to see that part and then ejected the movie and sealed it up.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (10)
     
    Sandy L.

    This movie was well put together-kind of strange for no reason in parts but excellent acting and an accurate portrayal of Bacon's life and how he lived it- Daniel craig did a great job acting-would definitely recommend this movie if you like different movies and don't mind seeing nude men with quirky somewhat sick sex lives.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jordan L.

    I'm not a fan of gay films or Francis Bacon at all, but this film blew my mind. I can't even say I like it, but I'm glad I watched. Terrific acting, HEAVY storyline! This film was put together like a bad dream, made to launch the viewer into the lives of these people, displaying with great detail the emotions of these characters. Recommended for those who are looking for something different, but definitely not a popcorn movie!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Greg C.

    If your slant in movies is toward art house fare then this should fit. The way its shot using great angles and various lenses keeps it interesting. and definitely adds rather than detract. Even though it only covered a very short period in Bacon's life it was a rather intriguing one. Certainly not an uplifting film as it shows how people tend to use each other for various reasons. I found Daniel Craigs character, George, just as interesting as the Bacon character.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 10 Reviews
       

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