Critic Reviews
Basquiat (1996) Rank 3 Reviews
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based on (61) reviews
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Entertainment Weekly (Owen Gleiberman)
Basquiat is an engrossing spectacle, but by the end, as a zoned-out Basquiat stands regally in a cruising Jeep, we realize that Schnabel has reconfigured his story as a kind of ghostly myth, and that we've never completely seen the man behind it. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Owen Gleiberman)
Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)
Since the film is somewhat episodic, I will describe some early, important episodes. In one, he meets Andy Warhol (David Bowie) and Bruno Bischofberger ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)
Salon (Glen Helfand)
For a first feature, this surprisingly likeable film might just revitalize Schnabel's persona in art circles, as well as make a splash with hip young filmgoers. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Salon (Glen Helfand)
Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)
It's also quite energetic -- there isn't a boring shot anywhere, and writer-director Schnabel is clearly enjoying himself as he plays with expressionist sound, neo-Eisensteinian edits, and all sorts of other filmic ideas. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)
Globe and Mail (--)
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Rick Groen)
Well, the movie suffers slightly from that tendency -- the portrait shows definite signs of airbrushing. But it's rendered with enough intelligence, and performed with sufficient grace, to offer us an occasionally compelling, curiously upbeat look behind ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Rick Groen)
San Francisco Chronicle (Edward Guthmann)
It's smart and good-hearted and boasts an amazingly good score, but the film is limited by the very private nature of the man it portrays. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Edward Guthmann)
SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
©1996 All Rights Reserved.
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or Search ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
Palo Alto Weekly (Susan Tavernetti)
Film Frat
When I sat down to view Basquiat I was anticipating an in-depth film about the burgeoning New York art scene in the early '80s, brought forth by the controversial modern-day Van Gogh, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Much to my dismay, once the closing credits ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Film Frat
Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
Variety (Emanuel Levy)
As writer and director, Schnabel should be commended for avoiding Hollywood's biopic cliches about artists, as Basquiat's meteoric rise to fame and tragic death at the age of 27 would have fit perfectly the timeworn formula. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Variety (Emanuel Levy)
Newsweek (Cathleen McGuigan)
All the ingredients for a classic doomed-by-overnight-success movie can be found in the trajectory of Jean Michel Basquiat's short, sad life. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Newsweek (Cathleen McGuigan)
Washington Post (Desson Thomson)
But the film, written and directed by fellow artist Julian Schnabel, is so tender in its affections, these omissions and poetic licenses seem like the embellishments of a good friend. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Washington Post (Desson Thomson)
Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)
Houston Chronicle
Critical Culture (Pacze Moj)
Salon.com (Glen Helfand)
The Cranky Critic (Chuck Schwartz)
Mediajonez (Andy Spain)
Philadelphia City Paper (A.D. Amorosi)
TV Guide (Staff(not credited))
Schnabel at least manages to tell a fairly coherent story. The bad news: It's not a very interesting story, and Schnabel doesn't have the chops to make it one by sheer strength of filmmaking prowess. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at TV Guide (Staff(not credited))
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Every once in a while, Basquiat strikes a real nerve with statements like "[Dealers] are no
longer collecting art; [they're] buying people" or "[Basquiat's] audience hasn't even been born yet."
The film doesn't do a total autopsy of the ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Men on Film (Michael J. Legeros)
Jerry Saravia
Film biographies are probably the most difficult to make because you have to draw insight into the main character, and dramatize the life he/she lived in their own particular time and place. Recent biographies such as "Michael Collins" dramatized the ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Jerry Saravia
Austin Chronicle (Marjorie Baumgarten)
That Cow (Andrew Bradford)
Basquait is an average story, done in an interesting way. We follow the life of burgeoning artist Jean Michel Basquiat, from origins in simple graffiti to his paintings hanging in art galleries. The film is populated with such name actors as Dennis ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at That Cow (Andrew Bradford)
Steve Rhodes
Although Basquiat is considered important since he was one of the first African Americans to become a famous pop artist, I found his work on a par with a typical kindergarten class. In one scene in the movie, Warhol and Basquiat comment on a guy who is ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at Steve Rhodes
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Basquiat, the fictionalized biography of graffiti artist-turned-international sensation, Jean Michael Basquiat, is the latest in a long line of "suffering artist" motion pictures, following closely on the heels of last year's controversial Total Eclipse. ...read the complete Basquiat movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
User Reviews
by Mary B. Howkins "... on May 21, 2009
Basquiat's life and demise are lessons in too-sudden fame and the exploitation of African Americans, street people, and the poor. Julian Schnabel has made a subtle and artistically structured tribute to Basquiat, the kind of tribute that only a fellow ...
by Amaranth "music f... on May 12, 2009
"Basquiat" was Julian Schnabel's first art house flick in 1996. It garnered critical attention with performances from David Bowie (as Andy Warhol), Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, as well as newcomers like Benicio del Toro, Claire Forlani, and Parker Posey. ...
by Romeocar on May 24, 2008
Well, I love the artwork of Basquiat; add to that the fantastic actors (Jeffrey Wright is genius); the film manages to capture the essence of Basquiat's short but talented life in a celebratory and poignant way. As time goes on, this film gains even ...
by SAMO on May 22, 2008
This movie is superbly acted, it is true to life. One may not admire all of the people involved but it appears to be a glimpse into how Basquiat rose to fame and experienced personal demons. Many memorable lines. Detractors criticized lack of energy and ...
by Anita Fitz-Gerald on October 27, 2007
I saw this movie many times in the theater, so crazy about it. Recently I checked it out from BBusters and was again so moved on the deepest levels. I am an artist and was completely satisfied visually, but that can happen in movies not about artists. ...
by Alejandro Dramis on September 06, 2007
Clearly, this isn't the best movie that you gonna see, but it's really interesting and funny, because at least two things: One, it's always a very funny thing watching Bowie performing anything, but specially doing Warhol. The white duke is the best ...
by Isaac Richards on August 24, 2007
I really enjoyed it. Amazing story of the late artist. David Bowie as Warhol haha so good. ...
by M. Howard "lovemu... on August 07, 2007
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen! It was done well, long list of big name actors. Jefferey Wright is such an under rated actor. This movie should have put him on the map!"YOU DON'T WANNA MISS THE BOAT"!
Buy this ...
by D.J. J.C. "Eddie ... on July 03, 2007
As everthing i've ever read about Jean Michel has told me, he wasn't quite this personable but i suppose since this was done by a dear friend of JMB's then it is only fitting that Jeffrey Wright's portrayal be a bit more "In the Sunshine". I have been ...
by S. Terry "INFOEAT... on January 09, 2007
This film has a lot of info concerning the life of Basquiat I found that the film gave me a visual of who he was and the people who surrounded him.It made it so much clearer. ...
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