Retro Film Review: Basquiat (1996)

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(source:tmdb.org)

Just like many Los Angeles streetwalkers who began their descent into gutter with ambitions of becoming new Hollywood superstars, there are people in mental institutions and homeless shelters who got there because they had had ambitions of becoming important ground-breaking artist. Basquiat, 1996 biopic directed by Julian Schnabel, chronicles the life of a man who, in many ways, walked completely opposite path. Its protagonist is Jean-Michel Basquiat (played by Jeffrey Wright), son of middle class Haitian immigrants who adopted lifestyle of New York street bums and had cardboard box for home. What sets Basquiat apart from other street bums is his method of fighting boredom - he writes graffiti on everything he can lay his hands on – walls, cars and clothes belonging to his girlfriend Gina Cardinale (played by Claire Forlani). One night in 1979 those graffiti are recognised as genuine art by writer Rene Ricard (played by Michael Wincott) who takes him under his wings only to hand his career over to Andy Warhol (played by David Bowie) and Swiss art dealer Bruno Bischofberger (played by Dennis Hopper). Young painter instantly becomes big star and household name in art circles, with art dealers and gallery owners throwing obscene amounts of money for his material. Surrounded by instant wealth and sycophants, Basquiat gradually loses touch with his old friends and tries to fight loneliness by taking increasing amounts of drugs.

Julian Schnabel, writer and director of this film, is renowned painter and close friend of Basquait and, as such, probably the most qualified to tell the tale of young painter's life. Schnabel also uses his talent to display Baquiat's work in most imaginative ways possible. Unfortunately, Schnabel is less experienced in arts of storytelling - film is overlong, full of unnecessary elements and some key elements of Basquiat's biography are omitted. Although Schnabel probably had best intention, Basquiat looks less like the biography of his friend and more like the nostalgic vista of 1980s, period when avant-garde artists - genuine and hacks - lived off the yuppies' snobbery and modern art as newly established industry. The best and the most genuine scenes in the film are those that deal with agents, art dealers, gallery owners and reporters - world that suffocates talent by turning art into business and artists into commodity. Unfortunately, there are too few of those scenes. The film lacks closure, probably because of Schnabel's decision to "celebrate" Basquiat's life by ending the film on cheerful note. What saves this film is small gallery of very respected and talented actors who made their name in low budget and independent films. Despite minimalist approach to the role, Jeffrey Wright plays Basquiat very well and holds his ground compared with the likes of Hopper, Bowie, Parker Posey and Christopher Walken. All those performances, however, could have been put to better use in some other film. This one is only for the most refined connoisseurs and lovers of modern art. Most of the average viewers would hardly miss anything if they skip this one.
RATING: 4/10 (+)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on January 22nd 2004)

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