Rent Basquiat (1996)

arty - Basquiat review by RE

personally not for me. if you like modern art then this film will be for you. a very niche film and if not into art then will probably struggle to enjoy

An Electrifying Portrait of Art, Fame, and the Fire that Burns Behind the Canvas. - Basquiat review by griggs

I’ll admit my naivety upfront—I’d never heard of Jean-Michel Basquiat before watching this, but what a way to discover him. Basquiat is a powerful, engaging film, and that’s before you even get to the cast. Jeffrey Wright is brilliant, David Bowie as Warhol is surreal, and there are great turns from Benicio del Toro, Dennis Hopper, and Gary Oldman. The soundtrack is just as striking—Tom Waits, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, The Rolling Stones, The Pogues, and, of course, Bowie, all help set the mood. The story flows with real energy and emotion; I was glued to the screen. It’s stylish, moving, and totally absorbing from start to finish.

Decent-enough biopic of an on-trend modern artists with an all star cast incl Bavid Bowie - Basquiat review by PV

OK so first to say, I hate much modern art and do not think much of what this artist made tbh. The world of modern art is a circus - all about money. But it could be worse - it could be conceptual art!

Anyway, a decent-enough biopic though I wanted to know more about his childhood and his Haitian accountant dad and mum too.

Decent music in this and Bowie does fine as warhol, the darling of the deeply pretentious New York arts scene. Loads of other famous actors pop up here. Hopper/walken/dafoe and Brit Oldman perfectly cast.

3.5 stars rounded up. worth a watch