A whirlwind of stars, art and drugs can be found in the new film “Basquiat.”Written and directed by the artist Julian Schnabel, “Basquiat” is a film about the life of a young black graffiti writer named Jean-Michel Basquiat who, in 1981, became one of the most successful and controversial artists in the world.Described by The New York Times as “the art world’s closest equivalent to James Dean,” Basquiat started off living in a box in New York City and ended up rubbing shoulders with big names like artist Andy Warhol and poet Rene Ricard.Basquiat is the first lead in a feature film for Jeffrey Wright, who won a Tony Award for his role in George C. Wolfe’s Broadway production “Angels in America.”Wright’s talent breaks through as he portrays Basquiat’s highs and lows as an avid drug user, the energy and creativity of an artist and the humor which he saw in life.One of several real-life characters in the film is Andy Warhol, played by David Bowie. It’s fitting that Bowie was picked for this role since he recorded the song “Andy Warhol” in 1972.Bowie masters the body language and appearance with Warhol’s actual wigs, glasses and jacket, as well as having the funniest lines in the movie.Other real-life characters from Basquiat’s life include poet Rene Ricard (Michael Wincott), museum curator Henry Geldzahler (Paul Bartel), art dealers Annina Nosei (Elina Lowensohn) and Mary Boone (Parker Posey) and restaurateur Michael Chow (as himself).
Schnabel, whose art work has been shown along with Basquiat’s in many exhibitions, also used fictional characters in his film to represent various people in Basquiat’s life.Gina Cardinale (Claire Forlani) represents Basquiat’s first love who brings him into her life after he walks into the diner where she waitresses. Forlani, of Michael Bay’s “The Rock” and Alan Metter’s “Police Academy,” expresses her ability as an actress well.Benny (Benicio del Toro) represents the friends from Basquiat’s earlier days, Albert Milo (Gary Oldman) represents another New York artist of that time and Big Pink (Courtney Love) represents all of the groupies that Basquiat had.Dying of a heroin overdose at the young age of 27 is a tragedy, yet, according to Schnabel, “Basquiat” is meant to illuminate the extraordinary and misunderstood life of his friend and contemporary.Filled with drug abuse and loneliness, the confusion of success and fame, as well as terrific friendships and relationships, “Basquiat” leaves its audience with plenty to think about and discuss with friends.Even if the meaning of the art itself or some of the images used in the film are hard to grasp, it can still be appreciated.It’s a film about one artist’s life, yet it has something that just about anyone can relate to.”Basquiat” opens tonight at the Drexel East Theater.
