The Pogues were used very well in this film...Hell, the whole soundtrack was great. The same old story of rags to fame to riches and drugs, which sadly gets tiresome no matter how true the story is...but it's Basquiat, and I prefer this one over many other biopics, because I can't remember being bored once. Very fine acting, and fascinating imagery.
This is my favorite biopic of all time. Jeffery Wright is a revelation as Basquiat. How Wright carries himself, his slight stutter and his mannerisms all work to evoke a man trying to hide a wounded child inside. The movie is adroitly cast and the soundtrack is pitch perfect. Schnabel knows the 80's art scene and has the confidence to portray it honestly. Schnabel's deft cinematic touch works emotional wonders.
The scene in the restaurant towards the end where he is having dinner with Gina/Claire and the upper class white men are behaving like baboons, man I really wanted to reach into the screen and give Basquiat/Wright a hug. Wright really showed the shyness and loneliness of Jean-Michel. I felt for him.
jeffrey right at his best. loved it how julian representate basquiat directly. way too sensitive.
this film is terrible, the Basquiat impersonator is just not even near of Basquiat real charming, if you want to see the real Basquiat I recommend to watch Downtown81, much better, and it you'll also get, Debie Harry, Tuxedomoon, more of his contemporaries.
Finally added it to here then! What a wonderful portrayal of a great artist and person. Visually beautiful and big ups, Jeffrey Wright.
Saw it again last night. Not bad at all. I remember the shooting back in NY, but I didn't know any of the actors ;-)
Very stylish..Easy to see that the director Schnabel is an acclaimed painter in addition to a filmmaker - the film is very poignant and Schnabel knows what he wants and where he wants the film to go. He shows his friend Basquiat in the perfect way for an artist like that and the film is an intertesting look into an extraordinary art world and an extraordinary life.
