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Basquiat (1996) Reviews

Basquiat (1996)
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Andy Warhol was a phenomenon who warrants a lot of explaining: a completely colorless mega-star celebrity, and a kind of LaBrea Tarpit for a vivid and talented collection of oddballs in the New York scene. He fostered their continued degeneration into weird lifestyles and heavy drug use; and at the same time acted as their mentor, agent, and sponsor. One artist who came to be part of Warhol's "scene" was Jean Michel Basquiat, an antisocial street-bum who went from writing graffiti on alley walls to being the toast of New York City's art world. This film biography chronicles the progression of Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright) and his progression from living in cardboard boxes to penthouses, his romances, his drug use, and his death in 1988 at age 27. Along the way, he never stopped detesting the rich, including art agent Bruno Bischofberger (Dennis Hopper), and he never lost his naivete. Warhol (David Bowie) picks up some of the pieces as Basquiat lurches through the art scene. Cameo appearances by Tatum O'Neal and Courtney Love add spice to this interesting film. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Starring:
Jeffrey WrightMichael Wincott, (more)
Director(s):
Julian Schnabel
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(12 member reviews)  


Member Reviews


Bill C.

If you admire creatives, and sympathize with their struggles to find their way, you'll enjoy this. This world was never meant for one As beautiful as you. Particulary appealing if you're interested in, learning to appreciate as I am, the expression of modern artists. But mostly a well crafted and acted look at the struggles of an artist. I enjoyed the looks at how he worked, even if made up, it gave a glimpse in how the visual of what a modern artist sees might come into being.

Yes   |   No


Andy G.

Art can be seen differently by each eye that glances upon it. Some will see it as innovative creative pieces of the mind, while others will simply see squiggles and markings on any plain surface. That is how I felt with Basquiat. Throughout the entire story of his humble beginnings as a graffiti artist living on the streets until finally reaching the pinnacle of his existence (thanks to his friend Andy Warhol). Being a fan of Warhol’s work, I was eager to fully immerse myself in this film and see yet another soul touched by the aura of this infamous artist. Sadly, this eagerness flopped when I was ravished with poor editing and horrendous direction. Thankfully there was the brilliant Jeffery Wright to make up for the errors caused by director Julian Schnabel. Wright, courageous enough to play Basquiat, stands as the center of this film while everyone else just seems to falter around him. Overall, this was a decent film.

Yes   |   No


George H.

This is a wonderful movie which stays on point in portraying the brief life of Basquiat. His natural genius,his POV in seeing the world differently,is a gift...but the lonliness in the loss of friends is a dear price to pay.

Yes   |   No


Michael O.

educating and sad movie

Yes   |   No


Patrick S.

Disgusting

Yes   |   No


Liviu I.

Very original , very special kind of movie , the short real life of an artist .

Yes   |   No


Mark and carolyn C.

A balanced expose' of the NY art scene in the 80's, the time and place that Mr. Schnabel himself found fame alongside Jean-Michel. My only disappointment was in Schnabel's lack of focus on what might have been more of emphasis of the film-Basquiats art. Few are the long, doting, shots of the paintings, the slow pan of the expanse of the huge canvas'. Best scene is where, true or not, Jean-Michel acts more Christ-like than most self-professed Christians, not only "turning the other cheek" but "not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing-" while at an expensive, upscale restaurant, Jean-Michel is stared at, snickered at and generally made a mockery of by a table full of rich, snobby white folks. Jean-Michel tells the waiter to pay the tab for the entire table-and requesting that it be kept secret. Was this an exercise of ego, or the act of a Saint? This review chooses to think the best.

Yes   |   No


Ted T.

i rented this flick because i wanted to check out rockets redglare, del toro, hopper, oldman and bowie in what i thought was going to be a cool movie about basquiat - i generally agree with a "two thumbs up" rating. i got rockets, bowie, del toro etc and was impressed with the supporting players - that's it. the rest was dreary (not in a good way), overacted, underplayed schlock. schnabel ruined what is a compelling story (or so i thought) and made it into another anti-drug after school movie of the week waste of time . . . . .

Yes   |   No


Sheila A.

I had never heard about Basquiat and learning about him was interesting. It's a sad story though and the acting for this film was mediocre at best. Would suggest people learn about the person, but not watch the movie

Yes   |   No


Lareasa B.

The movie from the start was boring. I would have really loved to see more acting instead of drug use.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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Member Reviews
 
Bill C.

If you admire creatives, and sympathize with their struggles to find their way, you'll enjoy this. This world was never meant for one As beautiful as you. Particulary appealing if you're interested in, learning to appreciate as I am, the expression of modern artists. But mostly a well crafted and acted look at the struggles of an artist. I enjoyed the looks at how he worked, even if made up, it gave a glimpse in how the visual of what a modern artist sees might come into being.

Yes   |   No

 
Andy G.

Art can be seen differently by each eye that glances upon it. Some will see it as innovative creative pieces of the mind, while others will simply see squiggles and markings on any plain surface. That is how I felt with Basquiat. Throughout the entire story of his humble beginnings as a graffiti artist living on the streets until finally reaching the pinnacle of his existence (thanks to his friend Andy Warhol). Being a fan of Warhol’s work, I was eager to fully immerse myself in this film and see yet another soul touched by the aura of this infamous artist. Sadly, this eagerness flopped when I was ravished with poor editing and horrendous direction. Thankfully there was the brilliant Jeffery Wright to make up for the errors caused by director Julian Schnabel. Wright, courageous enough to play Basquiat, stands as the center of this film while everyone else just seems to falter around him. Overall, this was a decent film.

Yes   |   No

 
George H.

This is a wonderful movie which stays on point in portraying the brief life of Basquiat. His natural genius,his POV in seeing the world differently,is a gift...but the lonliness in the loss of friends is a dear price to pay.

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 12 Reviews