Basquiat (1996)

I appreciate it more each time I watch it

Well, I love the artwork of Basquiat; add to that the fantastic actors (Jeffrey Wright is genius); the film manages to capture the essence of Basquiat's short but talented life in a celebratory and poignant way. As time goes on, this film gains even more relevance. If I said too much it would spoil it; there's something fragile there, but enduring. May 25, 2008

Excellent

This movie is superbly acted, it is true to life. One may not admire all of the people involved but it appears to be a glimpse into how Basquiat rose to fame and experienced personal demons. Many memorable lines. Detractors criticized lack of energy and flashyness, but this does not match the true personalities of the artists. From reviews of Schnabel, I can tell he put his heart into this movie and no doubt real quotes. One of my all time favorite movies. May 23, 2008

The end of a great career, the start of another

In the graffiti art world of new york there were many personalities in the late 70's to the 80's, but one man came out of the streets and dominated the art world. Basquiat is one of the great stories of not only the art world but of our generation; a story of love, drugs, and a desire to be on top Basquiat inspires the viewer to be a artist. The movie is directed by Julian Schnabel in his directorial debut he has recently released The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and been nominated for a academy award, even though the awards meen nothing you can see why the academy nominated him for his originality and excellence in film making. This film truly shows that raw idea he shows in the diving bell, but the story is better in Basquiat. With schnabel at the head and the story in his hands this makes a amazing movie. February 27, 2008

Suprise!

As a painter, I have read about Basquiat, and enjoyed his paintings very much...but to see his story come to life with the likes of Dennis Hopper, David Bowie, Christopher Walken and more...was very cool...I will watch this movie again and again... January 28, 2008

Gripping glimpse of the 80s NYC art scene

"Basquiat" tells about 4 years of the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat, hit of the 1980s art world, from the days just prior to his fame to the peak of his success and the beginning of his decline into drugs. The film vastly simplifies his frenetic life, but does give a glimpse into the forces -- gallery owners, museum curators and sellers -- that shape the careers of new artistic discoveries. Basquiat found himself simultaneously pulling the levers of this system while it pulled his, each seeking maximum gain and notoriety.

Basquiat's friendship with pop-artist Andy Warhol is depicted, with David Bowie doing a wonderful impression of the eccentric older artist. Christopher Walken has a cameo as an attack interviewer, alternately praising and insulting Basquiat in order to get juicy tidbits. But Jeffrey Wright is a standout as the title artist, portraying him as a street-smart naif fascinated by self-expression. He is able to portray a man on hard drugs without resorting to caricature.

You don't have to be a fan of modern art, or of its post-modern and expressionistic offshoots to enjoy the film. Enough to know that some people see this material as worthy of collecting, showing or selling, whether from its intrinsic value, for its culture currency or for its sheer sellability. Basquiat's paintings continue to sell for enormous sums decades after his death. In some circles, that's enough to make one an important artist,. regardless of what the wider public thinks.

"Basquiat" does not go deep into the artist's life or provide a critique (positive or negative) on the world that spawns art. It did pique my interest in Basquiat and his work, and that's plenty. November 24, 2007

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