Review of Art School Confidential (2006) by Donovan D — 18 Feb 2008

Good satire of what it is like to go to Art School, directed by Terry Zwigoff. I didn't think so much of Zwigoff's Ghost World in spite of a similar feel. This could be because I saw Ghost World as pretentious, hipster drivel, but it could also be because I could relate to this later film and its characters since, well, I'm one of them.

While I've never been an artist with a 'painterly' quality to my work, I can undestand the frustration of Jerome in the face of utter pretentiousness. When one character intellectually argues why he shouldn't have to do an assignment, I laughed because of how truthful the scene was.

In spite of spirited start, I felt the The film descended when it became a tale of obsession, with Jerome doing everything to win the heard of Audrey. However, its resolution would be a bit silly if not for the fact there is a glimmer of truth to it.

Its like Warhol said: it doesn't matter what they write about you, all that matters is the font is giant size. Art School Confidential is a film that is uneven at times, but it is one that art school graduates will certainly relate to.