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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Miramax
Salesrank: 9891
Released: September 3, 2002 |
| Our Price: $8.09 |
| Used Price: $6.99 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
BASQUIAT chronicles the meteoric rise to fame of the gifted and charismatic young New York artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat, as he emerged from the streets of the East Village to become an internationally renowned sensation.
Description of Basquiat:
In his writing and directorial debut, Julian Schnabel's film Basquiat depicts the life of graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, a.k.a. 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 favorable 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 dreamlike 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
Basquiat Reviews:
Ok, so I saw this because of David Bowie/Andy Warhol... 
2008-08-04 - ...and he was incredible as Andy Warhol. Creepy silences, slow movements, that voice. I really enjoyed watching him most of all. And I read on imdb.com that he wore some of Andy Warhol's real wigs! That must have been an awesome experience, to portray someone you admired in real life. Jeffrey Wright was impressive as Basquiat, and seeing Christopher Walken is always a treat. I didn't know much about Basquiat before watching this, but I appreciate his work more after catching this short glimpse of his world, dingy NYC in the 1980s, lifestyles of eccentric artists, drugs, music, etc. Definitely watch if you're a fan of Basquiat or any of the fine actors here.
I appreciate it more each time I watch it 
2008-05-25 - 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.
Excellent
2008-05-23 - 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.
The end of a great career, the start of another
2008-02-27 - 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.
Suprise!
2008-01-28 - 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...
