Like many brilliant youths who died way before their time, legendary New York artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) never had the chance to show the world what he could really do. However, during his unfortunately short life, he definitely made his mark. He wasn’t just magnetic and incredibly talented; he also had an outlook on life that remains a startling vision, one that continues to challenge and provoke anyone who should ever have the honor to encounter it.
Buy Basquiat Criterion Collection Blu-rayIn 1996’s Basquiat, director Julian Schnabel didn’t take the typical approach to telling a biopic. Instead, he channeled his sensory and abstract eye into showcasing what made Basquiat (his friend) who he was and how we view him now. By doing so, he managed to create a beguiling tribute without compromising the central beloved figure’s timeless essence and spirit.
The superb, Oscar-nominee Jeffrey Wright (in his searing first lead role) embodies Basquiat and gave him a new, much-needed urgency, as the film charts his beginnings from homeless graffiti tagger to art’s brightest and provocative new triumph during 1980’s Manhattan art scene, while struggling with newfound fame, obvious racism, devastating addiction, and how he wanted to be free in America.
Another reason why this one really works is because of the ensemble cast that surrounds Wright. They each bring their own gravitas to their characters who became close to Basquiat and were equally almost destroyed by his demons. There’s Dennis Hopper, Claire Forlani, Christopher Walken, Willem Dafoe, Michael Wincott, Gary Oldman, Parker Posey, Benicio Del Toro, and most notably David Bowie (in a beautifully eerie performance as Andy Warhol). One thing that makes a movie is its cast, and Basquiat has one of the best I’ve ever seen in a film.
Although the release by the always-reliable folks at Criterion contains the original 1996 theatrical version (included in restored 4K), the main version is Schnabel’s black-and-white remaster (from last year), and I have to say that I prefer that version because it allows Basquiat’s story to be fully told without the distraction of his amazing work (which obviously overpowers in the theatrical color version). The new version has a haunting and immersive quality that feels dreamlike, ironically how Basquiat’s paintings still register. The supplements include audio commentary with Schnabel and writer/curator Giulia D’ Agnolo Vallan; a great new interview with Wright; 1996 interview with Schnabel and Bowie; and trailers. There’s also an amazing new essay by film scholar Roger Durling.
Obviously, Basquiat is not for everyone one, but if you’re an art aficionado and truly love Basquiat and his unforgettable legacy, then I think this film and release is one you really want to own. I think it really needs to be rediscovered, not just as a classic portrait of a genius, but one of arthouse cinema as a whole.
