I must confess that I knew (and still know) very little about the subject of this biopic. In all the talks of art in my education, the name "Jean-Michel Basquiat" has never come up. So being unfamiliar with the man's work, I was able to watch the movie with an open mind. The result: worth the time despite the sluggish pacing.
The film's narrative is mostly a bit straightforward in telling of Jean- Michel Basquiat's rise to fame as an unknown graffiti artist to a sought- after painter and eventually to his slow decline before his untimely death at age 28. The film's pacing is a little too sluggish at times, making some scenes tedious to get through. The film does very little in exploring the relationships between its title character and the influences in his artistic career though there is some analysis in Basquiat's romantic relationship with a waitress and a late third act look at Basquiat's relationship with fellow artist and one-time mentor, Andy Warhol.
Boasting an A-list cast including names like Gary Oldman (with a convincing American accent) as art dealer, Albert Milo; sadly Oldman has such limited screen-time but does shine in his usual way when he appears. Dennis Hopper also makes an appearance as manager, Bruno Bischofberger, to both Andy Warhol and briefly Basquiat and also an appearance by Benecio Del Torro as Basquiat's best friend. Some other cameos include the likes of Christopher Walken as a reporter who interviews Basquiat in the declining period of his career, Willem Defoe as an electrician, Parker Posey as an art gallery owner among others.
The film's first standout performance belongs to a brilliantly cast David Bowie as the famed Andy Warhol. Clad in Warhol's actual wigs, glasses and leather coat, Bowie embodies the enigmatic artist with perfect characterization. From the manner of speaking to Warhol's mannerisms (aside than the wardrobe), Bowie's performance is so convincing that you forget the rock legend is only acting and brings Warhol back to life so magnificently. A role that was tailor-made for the one and only David Bowie.
And the second stand-out performance is of (now popular) character Jeffrey Wright in the title role of Jean-Michel. Wright brings a reserved shyness to the role, playing Basquiat first as a man only expressing his views on the world and eventually as a man who lets the fame get to his head. Wright does bring a brashness required for the film's later half as Basquiat's fame grows and the he begins to see himself as the best. The actor's chemistry with his fellow actors particularly with Bowie's Warhol make for some in- depth thought at how similar both artists were in being artistic outsiders (different from the norm), but also how different their personalities are; Wright's Basquiat being brash, outspoken and borderline control freak to Bowie's Warhol being shy, reserved and soft spoken though having a certain control of his own artistic vision.
This movie has its own style and is a good character study of real-life faces. Give it a shot and enjoy.
The film's narrative is mostly a bit straightforward in telling of Jean- Michel Basquiat's rise to fame as an unknown graffiti artist to a sought- after painter and eventually to his slow decline before his untimely death at age 28. The film's pacing is a little too sluggish at times, making some scenes tedious to get through. The film does very little in exploring the relationships between its title character and the influences in his artistic career though there is some analysis in Basquiat's romantic relationship with a waitress and a late third act look at Basquiat's relationship with fellow artist and one-time mentor, Andy Warhol.
Boasting an A-list cast including names like Gary Oldman (with a convincing American accent) as art dealer, Albert Milo; sadly Oldman has such limited screen-time but does shine in his usual way when he appears. Dennis Hopper also makes an appearance as manager, Bruno Bischofberger, to both Andy Warhol and briefly Basquiat and also an appearance by Benecio Del Torro as Basquiat's best friend. Some other cameos include the likes of Christopher Walken as a reporter who interviews Basquiat in the declining period of his career, Willem Defoe as an electrician, Parker Posey as an art gallery owner among others.
The film's first standout performance belongs to a brilliantly cast David Bowie as the famed Andy Warhol. Clad in Warhol's actual wigs, glasses and leather coat, Bowie embodies the enigmatic artist with perfect characterization. From the manner of speaking to Warhol's mannerisms (aside than the wardrobe), Bowie's performance is so convincing that you forget the rock legend is only acting and brings Warhol back to life so magnificently. A role that was tailor-made for the one and only David Bowie.
And the second stand-out performance is of (now popular) character Jeffrey Wright in the title role of Jean-Michel. Wright brings a reserved shyness to the role, playing Basquiat first as a man only expressing his views on the world and eventually as a man who lets the fame get to his head. Wright does bring a brashness required for the film's later half as Basquiat's fame grows and the he begins to see himself as the best. The actor's chemistry with his fellow actors particularly with Bowie's Warhol make for some in- depth thought at how similar both artists were in being artistic outsiders (different from the norm), but also how different their personalities are; Wright's Basquiat being brash, outspoken and borderline control freak to Bowie's Warhol being shy, reserved and soft spoken though having a certain control of his own artistic vision.
This movie has its own style and is a good character study of real-life faces. Give it a shot and enjoy.