Review of Pollock (2000) by Sean C — 29 Nov 2011

Jackson Pollock is a young artist struggling to make a name for himself, who finds his biggest supporter in an artist named Lee Krasner. Together they launch his career and send him hurling into fame.

This film is nothing short of brilliant. Pollock's work is breathtaking, and Ed Harris's portrayal of Pollock is awe-inspiring. Where most films would have used Pollock's alcoholism to drive the narrative, Harris has instead used the creative process to delve further into the very troubled man behind the artwork; a technique that works incredibly well and keeps the story from being too clichéd.

However, for me, the movie was all about Marcia Gay Harden's portrayal of Lee Krasner. Krasner's devotion to Pollock is astounding. She stands by him through his tantrums, breakdowns, and infidenlities because she believes heart-and-soul in his artistic ability and potential. No matter what he does to her, or to their friends and family, she stands by him. And the brilliant thing about her is that she is no victim. She is Pollock's beacon - the light which steers him away from an impending crash. This is why the end scene works so well, because you just know that he's realising how futile his life is without her.

Probably the most powerful in the whole film, the scene leading up to the car accident that claimed Pollock's life was haunting and actually sucked me right into his world. Even though I knew there couldn't be anything other than a car crash at the end of that road, it still had me in its clutches right up until the very end.

If you haven't seen this film, please do. You won't be disappointed.