The brief life of Jean Michel Basquiat, a world renowned New York street artist struggling with fame, drugs and his identity.The brief life of Jean Michel Basquiat, a world renowned New York street artist struggling with fame, drugs and his identity.The brief life of Jean Michel Basquiat, a world renowned New York street artist struggling with fame, drugs and his identity.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 3 nominations
- Shenge
- (as Jean Claude LaMarre)
- Tom Kruger
- (as Chuck Pfeifer)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat refused to allow his works to be used, so the director, Julian Schnabel, personally painted the reproductions which are used throughout the film.
- GoofsAs Basquiat walks with Gina for the first time, a woman is seen behind them walking a dog on a retractable leash. Retractable leashes were not available in 1981.
- Quotes
Rene: What is it about art anyway that we give it so much importance? Artists are respected by the poor because what they do is an honest way to get out of the slum using one's sheer self as the medium. The money earned, proof, pure and simple, of the value of that individual, the artist. The picture a mother's son does in jail hangs on her wall as proof that beauty is possible even in the most wretched. And this is a much different idea than fancier notion that art is a scam and a ripoff. But you can never explain to someone who uses God's gift to enslave, that you have used God's gift to be free.
- Crazy creditsAt the very end of the credits, a short clip showing a surfer riding on a wave is displayed. It's very similar to the surfing/wave shots that Basquiat keeps seeing whenever he looks up to the sky during the movie, but it's in full color instead of being blue-tinted.
- SoundtracksFairytale of New York
Performed by The Pogues
Written by Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer (as Jim Finer)
Published by Perfect Songs/MacGowan Music/SPZ Music, Inc.
Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
But, the 'problem' if you can call it that, with 'Basquiat' is that you need to know this man's art, and this man's character to really enjoy and appreciate this movie. And that's why I think it maybe doesn't get the sympathetic reviews or attention it deserves. If you didn't know about this man's life before seeing the movie, then I don't know what you could take from the film. And if you watch it without knowing about him and his art, then I can imagine it wouldn't really hit the mark.
What makes this movie beautiful in it's subtlety is that it does great justice to the wonderful talent and nature of Jean Michel Basquiat. And if you love his art, then do watch this movie, it's well worth it.
9/10
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $3,300,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,046,399
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $83,863
- Aug 11, 1996
- Gross worldwide
- $3,046,399
- Runtime1 hour 47 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1