A striking black artist gazes at an angelic diner waitress bathed in sunlight in a Manhattan breakfast shop. He pours maple syrup over a bare wood table carving out beautiful, elongated eyes that mimic the server's cat-like features. A manager erases the beautiful image with a wet rag and throws out the artist, but the server chases after him. This early scene alone showcases the film's strengths: visual composition and actor Jeffery Wright. Natural sunlight on film seemed so refreshing and stunning like the crown Basquiat often featured in his paintings. The surreal flashbacks of Basquiat's childhood were dreamy and stylish. Early scenes depicting Basquiat's late night calls to mental health hot lines then remixing his own calls into club music are troubling. Basquiat seems to think art as therapy may save him, while anyone watching will not. Basquiat's professional life gets better when his targeted restaurant hustle pays off and Andy Warhol loves his work. I'm a major David Bowie fanatic, so I found his Andy Warhol portrayal delightful. The movie showcases the collaboration but also shows Basquiat dealing with racism and scrutiny from others within the high fashion world. Tatum O'Neal and Courtney Love make memorable appearances. Although Basquiat's star is rising, his personal life suffers and the film takes a sadder turn.
1996 was a transitional year in films. Blockbusters and sequels were usually huge summer movies like Terminator 2. Basquiat would have been unusual for Hollywood to make. I wasn't surprised the movie downplayed Basquiat's relationships with men. There is only one line Basquiat says referencing bisexuality at all: "My boyfriend left me." Some critics find other aspects of the portrayal troubling; I felt at times drug use was glorified (this was at the height of heroin chic). But even making this film at all in 1996 was a task. I don't recall the film being shown in a theater near me in Birmingham, Alabama, but that was not my best year (to say the least) and there may be memory gaps. Birmingham was notorious for not showing controversial movies at the time, however.
I can't forgive the movie's crimes of fashion. The characters often dress as if it's 1996 instead of 1986 when the film is set. The clothes look great but feel more nineties than eighties to me at times. Basquiat walked runways and loved clothes. He wore beautiful suits and ties; where are the suits? Jeffery Wright said he clashed with the director over the portrayal of Basquiat during filming. He felt Basquiat was being portrayed as weaker. The strange censorship of suits could be evidence that he had a point. Did the director want Basquiat to dress in more flowy clothes that looked less powerful? I don't have enough information to say.
Finally, I disagree with the consensus of some critics that the director made the film to promote his own career. Gary Oldman's character is based on the writer/ director but he was a very minor character. Basquiat is the sun and he's Pluto. There is a humility in that. Creating the film was perhaps a friend's loving tribute.
1996 was a transitional year in films. Blockbusters and sequels were usually huge summer movies like Terminator 2. Basquiat would have been unusual for Hollywood to make. I wasn't surprised the movie downplayed Basquiat's relationships with men. There is only one line Basquiat says referencing bisexuality at all: "My boyfriend left me." Some critics find other aspects of the portrayal troubling; I felt at times drug use was glorified (this was at the height of heroin chic). But even making this film at all in 1996 was a task. I don't recall the film being shown in a theater near me in Birmingham, Alabama, but that was not my best year (to say the least) and there may be memory gaps. Birmingham was notorious for not showing controversial movies at the time, however.
I can't forgive the movie's crimes of fashion. The characters often dress as if it's 1996 instead of 1986 when the film is set. The clothes look great but feel more nineties than eighties to me at times. Basquiat walked runways and loved clothes. He wore beautiful suits and ties; where are the suits? Jeffery Wright said he clashed with the director over the portrayal of Basquiat during filming. He felt Basquiat was being portrayed as weaker. The strange censorship of suits could be evidence that he had a point. Did the director want Basquiat to dress in more flowy clothes that looked less powerful? I don't have enough information to say.
Finally, I disagree with the consensus of some critics that the director made the film to promote his own career. Gary Oldman's character is based on the writer/ director but he was a very minor character. Basquiat is the sun and he's Pluto. There is a humility in that. Creating the film was perhaps a friend's loving tribute.
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