Dirty Pictures (TV 2000)

A Cincinnati museum director goes on trial in 1990 for exhibiting sadomasochistic photographs taken by Robert Mapplethorpe.

Director:

Frank Pierson

Writer:

Ilene Chaiken

Stars:

James Woods, Craig T. Nelson, Diana Scarwid

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Woods	...	Dennis Barrie
Craig T. Nelson	...	Sheriff Simon Leis
Diana Scarwid	...	Dianne Barrie
Leon Pownall	...	Mr. Prouty
Matt North	...	Monty Lobb
David Huband	...	H. Louis Sirkin
Judah Katz	...	Mark Mizibov
Rachael Crawford	...	Ann Bosworth
Marnie McPhail	...	Reising
R.D. Reid	...	Judge Albanese
Allegra Fulton	...	Angela
Michele Muzzi	...	Brenda
Martin Roach	...	Ed
Tony De Santis	...	Floyd
Kenneth McGregor	...	Gil

Storyline

Fact-based story about the court proceedings that followed Cincinnati art museum director Dennis Barrie after his decision to display a controversial art exhibit by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. The proceedings start with an inflamed County Sheriff who is determined to put Barrie in jail. A grand jury established to determine whether the sexually explicit photographs were obscene found seven of the pictures to possibly be obscene. The seven pictures depicted nude children, a man ramming his fist up another man's anus, and man with his finger in his penis. Other pictures in the exhibit did depict explicit nudity and sexual connotation. An obviously biased judge made derisive decisions throughout the trial. The strain of the trial also placed Barrie's marriage under duress, which ultimately led to his wife divorcing him, and led to Barrie's children being derided and physically attacked by their classmates.

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Plot Keywords:

trial | obscene | photograph | art | museum | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for nude and sexual images and for related dialogue

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fotos Proibidas

Filming Locations:

Old City Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

MGM Television, Manheim Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min 89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

User Reviews

James Woods: Hollywoods greatest actor?

This admirable, intelligent if occasionally formulaic TVM (it deserved to be more widely screened) makes me ask why James Woods is not acknowledged as America's best film actor? Think about it: who is a serious contender? The equally prolific but perhaps more limited de Niro? Tom Hanks (come on!)? Tom Cruise (you must be joking!)? Jack Nicholson, perhaps, in his day, which isn't now, alas? The comparable Brian Dennehey: masterly, but I think Woods has the edge. Give the man an Oscar, please! ******