Review of Basquiat (1996) by K! G — 12 Mar 2008

BASQUIAT (1996).

Directed by Julian Schnabel.

Starring Jeffrey Wright, Benicio Del Toro, David BowieJean-Michel Basquiat, like Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix. Janis Japlin and Kurt Cobain, died at the age of 27, of an heroin overdose, in the late 80's.Julian Schnabel, the man who wrote and directed this film, knew Jean-Michel Basquiat. Actually, the character portrayed by Gary Oldman in the film is based on the director himself. Before being a filmmaker, Julian Schnabel - this is his first film - really was a painter and a lot of his work is exposed all around the world in museums. Knowing that, it makes it obvious Schnabel might just be the right guy to tell the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat.Who is Basquiat ? Probably the latest most important paint artist in the history of art. He used to live in the street and paint grafiti to express himself, Basquiat was a natural artist and this film manages to show his true nature.This is a bio-pic, but it really doesnt have the TV movie feel that a lot of biographies have. Schnabel starts his film very strong, quickly establishing his style of filmmaking which is very surprising and confident. But then for the second half it becomes a bit formulaic but its still never boring, not one second. Basquiat is actually fascinating, beyond the art and historic level its showing, but the character himself, wonderfully played by Jeffrey Wright with manners, is captivating.The man was so important it actually attracted a terrific cast, including David Bowie, amazing as Andy Warhol, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Parker Posey, Claire Forlani, Courtney Love, Benicio Del Toro, as a friend lousely based on actor Vincent Gallo, who has a small cameo appearance in the film. Other cameos includes Willem Dafoe and Christopher Walken.The film doesnt develop on how the painter gets his inspiration, he simply has it, he paints, he writes, he is a natural. There are some very interesting scenes though, especially one with Basquiat and Warhol creating together, it looks so weird, yet, its impossible not to appreciate.Before seeing the film I knew a bit about Jean-Michel Basquiat and I liked his work which help, to want to see the film. But I felt something was missing, despite the stunning visual of some scenes or the clever editing of others. Maybe I just wanted more, but Im not sure what else I could have asked for. It was complete as it is.Basquiat is a good film about a strong artist, and I like the way it really show how these people can be arrogant - thats a fact, not a judgement cause I studied arts in University and everyone thinks they know better - yet, the film doesnt try to make a statement about art, which I like, cause art is so hardly defined. I guess only a true, fully-accomplished artist like Schnabel could really tell this story the right way. I highly recommend, if you like biopic or simply are interesting in that man.