Morgan Bell
Kynaston
TOP TEN Films Depicting Real Life Artists
September 23rd 2008 07:01
Here are TEN of my favourite bio-pics about the some of the most prolific and innovative artists of all time. Each of them is a period film attempting to recreate the times and events which surrounded the creation of specific artworks and cemented the artists as legends. None of the artists are still living, and these are the films that i think most effectively preserves the legacy of their genius.
The film-makers attempt to take snippets or slices out of the artists life which were most profound. In many of them we see the formative years where love and relationships moulded the artists style and personality. In others we see the effect of the muse and the rejections and losses that shaped history.
My TOP TEN film selection includes a broad cross-section of creative characters, from different eras and backgrounds, some famous recluses, and some with surprisingly touching stories that i was not aware of before viewing the film.
Visual arts
1. Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003)
Artist: Johannes Vemeer (1632-75) Dutch Baroque painter
Played by: Colin Firth
2. Factory Girl (2006)
Artist: Andy Warhol (1928-87) American Pop artist
Played by: Guy Pearce
3. Frida (2002)
Artist: Frida Kahlo (1907-54) Mexican Surrealist painter
Played by: Salma Hayek
4. Sirens (1994)
Artist: Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) Australian painter, sculptor, illustrator
Played by: Sam Neil
Writing
5. Quills (2000)
Artist: Marquee De Sade (1740-1814) French writer of cruel and violent pornography, the word "sadistic" is derived from his name
Played by: Geoffry Rush
6. Finding Neverland (2004)
Artist: J.M. Barrie (1860-1937) Scottish novelist and playwright, creator of Peter Pan
Played by: Johnny Depp
7. In Love & War (1996)
Artist: Ernest Hemmingway (1899-1961) American novellist
Played by: Chris O'Connell
8. Miss Potter (2006)
Artist: Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) English author and illustrator, creator of Peter Rabbit
Played by: Renee Zellweger
Music
9. De-Lovely (2004)
Artist: Cole Porter (1891-1964) American composer of musical comedies including Kiss Me Kate and Anything Goes
Played by: Kevin Kline
10. Hilary & Jackie (1998)
Artist: Jacqueline du Pre (1945-1987) English cellist, definitive virtuoso
Played by: Emily Watson
The film-makers attempt to take snippets or slices out of the artists life which were most profound. In many of them we see the formative years where love and relationships moulded the artists style and personality. In others we see the effect of the muse and the rejections and losses that shaped history.
My TOP TEN film selection includes a broad cross-section of creative characters, from different eras and backgrounds, some famous recluses, and some with surprisingly touching stories that i was not aware of before viewing the film.
Visual arts
1. Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003)
Artist: Johannes Vemeer (1632-75) Dutch Baroque painter
Played by: Colin Firth
2. Factory Girl (2006)
Artist: Andy Warhol (1928-87) American Pop artist
Played by: Guy Pearce
3. Frida (2002)
Artist: Frida Kahlo (1907-54) Mexican Surrealist painter
Played by: Salma Hayek
4. Sirens (1994)
Artist: Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) Australian painter, sculptor, illustrator
Played by: Sam Neil
Writing
5. Quills (2000)
Artist: Marquee De Sade (1740-1814) French writer of cruel and violent pornography, the word "sadistic" is derived from his name
Played by: Geoffry Rush
6. Finding Neverland (2004)
Artist: J.M. Barrie (1860-1937) Scottish novelist and playwright, creator of Peter Pan
Played by: Johnny Depp
7. In Love & War (1996)
Artist: Ernest Hemmingway (1899-1961) American novellist
Played by: Chris O'Connell
8. Miss Potter (2006)
Artist: Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) English author and illustrator, creator of Peter Rabbit
Played by: Renee Zellweger
Music
9. De-Lovely (2004)
Artist: Cole Porter (1891-1964) American composer of musical comedies including Kiss Me Kate and Anything Goes
Played by: Kevin Kline
10. Hilary & Jackie (1998)
Artist: Jacqueline du Pre (1945-1987) English cellist, definitive virtuoso
Played by: Emily Watson
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
Until now, that is.
I'd like to see them all, espcially Factory Girl because Guy Pearce is in it.
But life [or my rejection of life as a concept worthy of pursuing] is preventing me from seeing films at the moment, as it has done for a few years, so I'm a bit out of touch.
Two films come to mind not on your list:
Il Postino.
Bukowski.
My sister saw Bukowski. She contacted me and said I should go and see it because he was just like me. I could only respond with, "I'm too busy being Bukowski to watch a film about myself."
Comment by Morgan Bell
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haha no way!
i thought i picked some really well known ones!
oh well, i had not heard of either of the two you mentioned so we are even . . . although thanks for the recommendations!
Factory Girl was fantastic, to see the full review i wrote on it CLICKHERE
i always think watching movies is the best way to escape from life . . .
Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
Way! I have not seen one film on your list.
I'd have to agree with onother point of yours, though. Watching movies is the best way to escape from life.
Carpetbaggers.
It might explain why cinema & DVD are so popular nowadays? Everyone is seeking an 'out?' And their Lotto numbers aren't coming up?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Im not much of a fan of the ones listed here, though Quills, Finding Neverland and Frida were enjoyable.
Factory Girl was very frustrating, uneven and lacked any heart for me.
Here is a list of 10 of my favourites:
Pollock (2000) Director – Ed Harris
Basquait (1996) Director - Julian Schnabel
My Left Foot (1989) Director – Jim Sheridan
The Draughtsman's Contract (1982) Director – Peter Greenaway
Lust for Life (1956) Director – Vincente Minnelli
Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) Director – Carol Reed
I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) Director – Mary Harron
Vincent and Theo (1990) Directed by Robert Altman
Kurosawa’s Dreams (1990)
Comment by Morgan Bell
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yes if not due to the depression associated with chronic pain i would never have had my little period of hibernation (i may still be in it) where i watched most of these films . . . Blockbuster made alot of money from me in late fees the first year of me not wanting to leave the house during the day!
thanks for being the Ted to my Bill in my little "Way! No Way!" caper . . . it has been a truly excellent adventure!
Comment by Ruth Moratz
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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oh you promise 10 and deliver 9, now i feel shortchanged! haha
never mind
i saw "Pollock" and didnt like it, it didnt seem to make any clear points, it just seemed like a bunch of random things thrown together (much like his paintings i guess)
and strangely enough, as often as i hear "My Left Foot" as a cultural reference for disability, i have not seen it and did not realise it was about an artist!
thanks for the info and recommendations!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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oh good someone else has seen a few of them!
if you liked Finding Neverland you will love Miss Potter!
thanks for the comment!
Comment by alt_ed
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ArtCombat
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Agreed the tone of Pollock was much like his work, part of why I loved it so much..but understand its not everyones thing.
Have you seen Basquait?
Sorry for short changing you - #10 can be Farinelli Directed by Gérard Corbiau. All about the famous Italian castrato singer.
Comment by Ruth Moratz
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An art history class I had required viewing of some of these films....my choices were Basquait and Frida.
I realize your question wasn't directed to me but I answered it anyway
Comment by Morgan Bell
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well he moves around and literally jumps of the page in Miss Potter . . . quite clever really!
hi JohnDoe,
i have heard good things about Farinelli and Basquiat but i have seen neither of them . . . Basquiat has David Bowie as Warhol right?
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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and there i was thinking "Lust For Life" was just an Iggy Pop song!
i just googled it and Kirk Douglas looks adequately deranged on the movie poster!
ill have to put "Carrington" and "Lust For Life" on my "to watch" list (which is now getting longer than i am tall)
dont worry i dont think biographies about the personal lives of the great minds of our time are going to become more popular than action flicks any time soon . . . theyre a bit too dry for alot of folk . . . unless theyve got Russell Crowe in them lol
both "Girl With A Pearl Earring" and "Frida" use the same technique of starting a scene in the artists actual works (or works in the same style) and merging into the reality of their lives - visually amazing!
dont rent Girl With A Pearl Necklace - totally different story! haha
Comment by Norm
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Girl with a Pearl Neckface? I'll have to get someone to burn me a copy.
No ArtCombat this week?
I'm just a post-modern guy. Yeah, I've had it in the ear before. Just before.
What's that telemovie about Graham Kennedy called?
Comment by Morgan Bell
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in the ear?
haha nice!
no ArtCombat no, it was a failed venture, but ill probably post some photo experiements in the near future . . . theres some blue cordial in my pantry youve just gotta see!
i think the recent Graham Kennedy film was called The King?
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Check this out...
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Frida is great though, Salma Hayek did a fantastic job, as did Alfred Molina.
I woulnd't mind seeing Klimt with John Malkovich but I heard it's not very good.
I'd also like to see Camille Claudel, just for the sumptuous Isabelle Adjani as Rodin's lover, arguably one of the most beautiful modern actors that has ever graced the big screen (well, her and Monica Bellucci) ...
And although I haven't seen it, La Belle Noiseuse (both versions) with the stunning Emmaneulle Beart is meant to be great cinema, but it's about a fictional artist, so doesn't really count. Which means I can't include the excellent short film Life Lessons by Martin Scorese with Nick Nolte as the volatile painter ...
Comment by Morgan Bell
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haha bargain night?
thats not the best recommendation!
i thought Chris O'Donnell really nailed it with the angsty youth and tormented older soul, it showed a lot of insight in the man behind the writing!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i was looking at the trailer for "Basquiat" on YouTube and it does look fascinating!
thanks for the suggestion of "Camille Claudel", sounds like another good one to put on my "to see" list!
i think fictional artists could be a good topic for a whole other post!
thanks for the comment!
Comment by Norm
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
But then, so are many great artists.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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"La Belle Noiseuse" is a good movie - I saw it a long time ago. The artists is supposed to represent Picasso, no?
Also, I have "Carvaggio" by Derek Jarman at home... I should get around to reviewing it...!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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heres some of the lyrics:
They get called assholes
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
The girls would turn the colour of a juicy avocado
When he would drive down their street in his El Dorado
Well he was only 5'3"
But girls could not resist his stare
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
Not in New York
Wow!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Cibby, Sodom about artists? The art of degredation perhaps ... Caravaggio is very good!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i have not heard the orginal but the writing credit is to Jonathan Richman from The Modern Lovers so you were right on the money with your first guess!
Bowie does it on his "Reality" album
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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oh you liked Pollock that much?
hmmm well if Jason AND JohnDoe praise a movie perhaps i should give it another viewing - i might have missed someting!
thanks for the comment my trusted little movie buff!
Comment by Lilla
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I don*t know how I missed this one, I HAVE been busy!.
You have mentioned three films here which had such an awesome impact on me, but by far the most moving and inspirational was Frida. Incredible passion and determination of that woman was a true crerdit to her and I related so much to her drive and tenacity to hold on regardless.
Of course, followed only narrowly by Quills and the lunacy of this man .. so brilliantly played and perhaps a special bravo to Geoffrey as he is a local boy from around Brisbane.
I cried like a sap in Miss Potter with my daughter together. What a whimp I am
I was disappointed in Finding Neverland and the Girl with the Pearl Earing (which my 17 year old is studying in Year 12 English this year), I felt both missed something ?
I have to agree with My Left Foot, too.
I recently read something about the lovely new young Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattison playing the young Salvador Dali too, that should be interesting and I am looking forward to it.
I haven*t seen the others you mention here, but will earnestly look out for them, seeing as they are in the same neighbourhood.
Lilla . .
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i think Frida is especially inspiring for people that have suffered debilitating injuries, she had such strength of spirit . . . i also liked the historical context that her life was set in, it depicted the clash or cultures and ideals and politics very well
in Frida and in Girl With A Pearl Earring i enjoyed how the artists paintings morphed into scenes from the artists life
i think Robert Pattinson is going to be a big star, i would love to see him doing a broad range of acting roles, Dali would be quite a challenge
thanks for the comment