High Art (1998)

Syd (Radha Mitchell) is an editor at a painfully pretentious art magazine; by chance, she becomes acquainted with lesbian photographer Lucy (Ally Sheedy) and her weirdo German girlfriend (Patricia Clarkson, in a strange Dietrich-like role). Syd becomes captivated with Lucy and her work and, smelling a career move, offers to feature her in the next issue of the magazine. The two become attracted, but their relationship is fraught with perils--Syd loses her rather square boyfriend, Lucy's girlfriend takes a hike, the avaricious management at the magazine pressures Syd, and, most importantly, the pair begins to travel down the road of heroin addiction. Besides the lesbian theme, High Art addresses such subtexts as what an artist will (or won't) be willing to do for recognition, and what price that recognition carries. High Art is a remarkably honest work, painful at times but understated and thoughtful. It does an excellent job of portraying the heroin-induced torpor of Lucy and her bohemian friends as they lie around and become consumed with the stuff. It's a cautionary tale, a sincere love story, a reflection on the nature of art, and a "lesbian film" for which the lesbianism is integral but not part of an overriding agenda. Sheedy is excellent, as is Mitchell in a very expressive role. It's far from being a feel-good movie, but High Art undeniably has some power behind it that will stick with you past the closing credits. --Jerry Renshaw Amazon.com

The Best Movie

Oh I love this movie I don't know what else to say but either rent or buy it, it's a real treat. July 8, 2008

Subtitles not to switch off

Before I learned that there exist codefree DVD-Players, I was looking for a version of High Art, running in Europe, without the disturbingly bright german subtitles, which one can't switch off! I thought to have found it in this item, as it is said to code Region 2. The german pro-fun-media DVD is code-free (code 0). What I received was exactly the german product, which I wanted to change. Do I have to read every line of the product information to make sure the Region 2 code is correct? It reminds me of contracts with traps in tiny letters . The seller didn't take back the product nor refunded. March 12, 2008

lacking in development

This film had great potential but really lacked in the real life situations that one would expect from this kind of film. For the most part I found this film less than entertaining, fair acting, and romance scenes were dull at best. It would have been great with better nudes by Radah and higher intensity scenes of romance between the two women. February 20, 2008

Touching and realistic

The storyline is touching and it is quite realistic for a girl to struggle for a higher position yet the ending is tragic. I enjoyed this film quite a lot!! December 26, 2007

High Art

Uber cool, erotic and funny at times. The sophisticated world of the artist, hipsters and addicts converge to create something wonderful.
The unusual and beautiful score is as essential to this indi gem as the offbeat characters. Presents a deeper, more personal meaning of art in a world that seeks only to profit from it... October 20, 2007

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