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From Amazon.co.uk
In his writing and directorial debut, Julian Schnabel's film Basquiat depicts the life of graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, aka SAMO, and the turbulent period from the late 1970s to 1988, as his life was catapulted into fame and notoriety. As Jean-Michel's work gained favourable attention from New York's elite art community, he went from a street punk living in a cardboard box to the first black artist to succeed in the all-white dominated art world. Tony Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright does a brilliant job portraying a man tortured by self-doubt and thoughts of suicide, struggling to survive and be acknowledged as an artist. The film's use of dream-like imagery and rhythmic pace tells the story from the perspective of Jean-Michel's eyes as he manages to "float" through relationships and gallery showings,until his impending death in 1988 from a heroin overdose. Brimming with talent, the film also stars David Bowie as pop-artist Andy Warhol, Michael Wincott as poet Rene Ricard and many others, including Gary Oldman, Benicio del Toro, Dennis Hopper and Courtney Love. --Michele Goodson
Product Description
In 1981, a nineteen-year-old unknown graffiti writer took the New York art world by storm - the rest is art history.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Navarre
Format:DVD
One of the best... well done, well acted, doesn't drag. Certainly gives one a feel for what it was like in the late eighties, if possible to be there in New York for one of the most productive art periods in the last century. Look for great performances by David Bowie, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman... and even Courtney Love is in this movie!
If you loved this movie, also see Before Night Falls, by the same director..
If you loved this movie, also see Before Night Falls, by the same director..
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Artist Julian Schnabel in his directorial debut captures the essence of the avant-garde art world of the late nineteen seventies through the eighties. His screenplay focuses on Jean- Michel Basquiat, a street person who started his career as an artist known for his memorable graffiti. Basquiat later catapulted to fame as the first African American artist to break out into the lily white New York art world, becoming pals with the likes of Andy Warhol. His struggle for acceptance and his inner demons ultimately proved to be too much for him, however, and at twenty eight, the world of Basquiat came to a stunning conclusion from an overdose of heroin.
The role of Basquiat is deliciously and memorably played by Jeffrey Wright who portrays Basquiat as a fey sort of soul. His stunning portrayal of the artist is neatly counter-balanced by the earthy performance of a young Benicio Del Toro, who plays Basquiat's friend. David Bowie is perfectly cast as an other worldly Andy Warhol. Dennis Hopper and Courtney Love also give compelling performances, as does Gary Oldham.
This is a quirky, surprisingly good film in the best indie tradition. It is quintessential New York in feel. Native New Yorkers will know what I mean. Others will simply have to take my word for it. Like the city, the film has something for everyone.
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By "donanselmo"
Format:DVD
Although this film is depressing in a way (it's sad to see how some people with great skill waste their life with drugs), it is also very inspiring and leaves you thirsty for more of the kind.
It describes the life of the only ever-really-important black artist in history up to now, Jean-Michelle Basquiat, and how fame and fortune can corrupt a personality.
Directed by Julian Schnabel, an artist himself, with an impressive cast (next to David Bowie, Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper you also get Courtney Love, Benicio del Toro and Claire Forlani (woman in "Meet Joe Black") - what more could you ask of a cast?), this is a seriously interesting movie that captures the spirit of the 80s NYC artscene like no other.
Definitely weird at times, a little odd, different to the old Hollywood-crap we get stuffed with all the time, but if that's just what you like and you're interested in Art or in ANDY WARHOL, then this is a must-buy.
I loved it, really did.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
i'd never heard of the guy
Interesting biopic of New York in the time of Andy Warhol. I didn't know about Basquiat so it was an eyeopening experience seeing how the art scene operated.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Jacqueline Horswill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Basquiat. An easy watch..
Basquiat, is a good general introduction to the artist. The age old story of the near starving artist living on the streets of NYC, who is discovered by chance. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Tony Scrivener
3.0 out of 5 stars
poor digital transfer compromises visuals
I saw this film in America upon its initial release and then owned it for many years on VHS. It's such a soulful and poetically nourishing film that I again purchased it on dvd... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2011 by Stephen Steciw
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than expected/
Good performances from a number of star names although David Bowie as Andy Warhol in a white wig took a bit of swallowing. Interesting soundtrack. Read more
Published on 11 July 2009 by stephenjohn0
5.0 out of 5 stars
A stunning film
I wasn't sure what to expect with this film, knowing very little about Basquiat at the time. This film was truly excellent and I was certainly not disappointed. Read more
Published on 5 April 2009 by Penelope Grey
2.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic movie! Horrible release!
The movie itself is great I really enjoyed it.
But I was very disappointed with the picture quality - this Pathe "TV release" is horribly weak, speak nothing of even English... Read more
But I was very disappointed with the picture quality - this Pathe "TV release" is horribly weak, speak nothing of even English... Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2008 by Martin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fairy-tale fable of the life of 1980s cult artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Puerto Rican and Haitian descent, who first found fame as an eighteen year-old graffiti artist in the 1980 Times Square Show, a... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2007 by cathy earnshaw
4.0 out of 5 stars
below "Before Night Falls" above "Pollock"
Really enjoyed the movie - not a extraordinary experience, though, but it's quite well made. The actors are quite good, Bowie manage to be a credible Andy Warhol, Dennis Hopper a... Read more
Published on 21 April 2005 by Jose Alves Goncalves
1.0 out of 5 stars
abysmal twaddle about egocentric junkies
Good performances can't save this self-indulgent tale of yet another artist whose out of control ego is supposed to be interesting to the viewer. Read more
Published on 21 May 2004 by Alejandra Vernon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Basquiat's pictures in motion!!
This film is simply fantastic! It tracks the roots of the genius that is Basquiat and his rise and eventual fall from superstardom as one of New Yorks art elite. Read more
Published on 15 May 2003 by "mysterywhyteboy"
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