Review of Dirty Pictures (2000) by Isabela G — 25 Jan 2011

Incredible film, James Woods fights for artistic expression in Cincinnati as an art director. The tense drama of society embattled over still photographs is amazing. Much like the Inquisition of old, Cincinatti behaves as a bunch of morons upset over pictures depicting nudity.

Just outstanding as James Woods and his family endure hardship over his stand to allow photo exibit pictures to be public. Not surprising is the public outcry, Republican (Newt Gingrich) denunciations in Congress... you name it. This is a fascinating portrayal of the modern day public going ape over nudity.

A Cincinnati museum director * goes on trial in 1990 for exhibiting sadomasochistic photographs taken by Robert Mapplethorpe.

[* NOTE: As his marriage begins to disintegrate and the prospect of a jail sentence looms before him, the Director finds himself torn between his devotion to his family and his determination to defend the doctrines of the First Amendment.

Director Barrie ultimately is found not guilty. Via an epilogue we learn his marriage eventually ended in divorce and, despite his legal victory, his experience and the wide publicity it received consequently impacted on other museum curators and boards who opted to avoid presenting potentially controversial exhibits in their venues for fear of a similar backlash.].

And we think we are better today than in Michaelangelo's day?

At least we don't burn people, literally, at the stake today.

Or do we?

Directed by Frank Pierson.

Produced by Michael Manheim.

Written by Ilene Chaiken.

Starring.

James Woods (director Barrie).

Craig T. Nelson.

Diana Scarwid.

Music by Mark Snow.

Cinematography Hiro Narita.

Editing by Peter Zinner.

Distributed by MGM Television.

Release date(s) May 20, 2000 (USA).

Running time 104 minutes.