Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6193 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-06-30
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 106 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
In his writing and directorial debut, Julian Schnabel's film Basquiat depicts the life of graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, aka SAMO, and the turbulent period from the late 1970s to 1988, as his life was catapulted into fame and notoriety. As Jean-Michel's work gained favourable attention from New York's elite art community, he went from a street punk living in a cardboard box to the first black artist to succeed in the all-white dominated art world. Tony Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright does a brilliant job portraying a man tortured by self-doubt and thoughts of suicide, struggling to survive and be acknowledged as an artist. The film's use of dream-like imagery and rhythmic pace tells the story from the perspective of Jean-Michel's eyes as he manages to "float" through relationships and gallery showings,until his impending death in 1988 from a heroin overdose. Brimming with talent, the film also stars David Bowie as pop-artist Andy Warhol, Michael Wincott as poet Rene Ricard and many others, including Gary Oldman, Benicio del Toro, Dennis Hopper and Courtney Love. --Michele Goodson

DVD Description
In 1981, a nineteen-year-old unknown graffiti writer took the New York art world by storm - the rest is art history.

Special Features
English
Region 2

Customer Reviews

You just wanna PAINT after this!!
Although this film is depressing in a way (it's sad to see how some people with great skill waste their life with drugs), it is also very inspiring and leaves you thirsty for more of the kind.

It describes the life of the only ever-really-important black artist in history up to now, Jean-Michelle Basquiat, and how fame and fortune can corrupt a personality.
Directed by Julian Schnabel, an artist himself, with an impressive cast (next to David Bowie, Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper you also get Courtney Love, Benicio del Toro and Claire Forlani (woman in "Meet Joe Black") - what more could you ask of a cast?), this is a seriously interesting movie that captures the spirit of the 80s NYC artscene like no other.
Definitely weird at times, a little odd, different to the old Hollywood-crap we get stuffed with all the time, but if that's just what you like and you're interested in Art or in ANDY WARHOL, then this is a must-buy.

I loved it, really did.

A WANNA BE WHO BECAME...
Artist Julian Schnabel in his directorial debut captures the essence of the avant-garde art world of the late nineteen seventies through the eighties. His screenplay focuses on Jean- Michel Basquiat, a street person who started his career as an artist known for his memorable graffiti. Basquiat later catapulted to fame as the first African American artist to break out into the lily white New York art world, becoming pals with the likes of Andy Warhol. His struggle for acceptance and his inner demons ultimately proved to be too much for him, however, and at twenty eight, the world of Basquiat came to a stunning conclusion from an overdose of heroin.

The role of Basquiat is deliciously and memorably played by Jeffrey Wright who portrays Basquiat as a fey sort of soul. His stunning portrayal of the artist is neatly counter-balanced by the earthy performance of a young Benicio Del Toro, who plays Basquiat's friend. David Bowie is perfectly cast as an other worldly Andy Warhol. Dennis Hopper and Courtney Love also give compelling performances, as does Gary Oldham.

This is a quirky, surprisingly good film in the best indie tradition. It is quintessential New York in feel. Native New Yorkers will know what I mean. Others will simply have to take my word for it. Like the city, the film has something for everyone.

One of the Best ...
One of the best... well done, well acted, doesn't drag. Certainly gives one a feel for what it was like in the late eighties, if possible to be there in New York for one of the most productive art periods in the last century. Look for great performances by David Bowie, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman... and even Courtney Love is in this movie!
If you loved this movie, also see Before Night Falls, by the same director..