Pollock (2000)
In August of 1949, Life Magazine ran a banner headline that begged the question: "Jackson Pollock: Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?" The film is a look back into the life of an extraordinary man, a man who has fittingly been called "an artist dedicated to concealment, a celebrity who nobody knew." As he struggled with self-doubt, engaging in a lonely tug-of-war between needing to express himself and wanting to shut the world out, Pollock began a downward spiral.
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I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Purely Joyful Movie!
This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
I love Jackson Pollock art. And I love Ed Harris. So, I discovered the film as a challenge . And that is it. Because it is not, exactly, a film about art, a pure biopic or fresco of a fight of a genius. It is more. A perspective about Pollock like a confession. Or question. Direct, honest, little bitter. That is all.
Jackson Pollock (Ed Harris) is famous with a Life magazine cover in 1950. The movie flashes back to 1941. He's a drunk staying in Greenwich Village with his brother and pregnant wife. Artist Lee Krasner (Marcia Gay Harden) shows some interest and becomes his lover/supporter. His brother moves to Connecticut. Jackson breaks down which is why he can't be drafted into the war. Lee takes Jackson home acting more and more like his manager. His work eventually gains the attention of art collector Peggy Guggenheim (Amy Madigan) who gives him an one-man show in 1943. Lee and Jackson decides to move to a country house on Long Island away from the drinking and doing more work. His paintings are still not selling and then the Life article happens. Lee and Jackson have a roller-coaster relationship and then he has an affair with Ruth Kligman (Jennifer Connelly).Ed Harris directs a mostly straight forward biopic of Jackson Pollock with a few fascinating scenes of painting sessions. His directing style doesn't necessarily project Jackson mental breakdowns but his acting is able to bridge the gap. Ed Harris is not the most imaginative director visually but it is overcome by good actors doing good work. It is a good debut directorial effort.
An ambitious and brilliantly realised film biography of the American artist Jackson Pollock, Ed Harris stars, directs and paints on-screen. Harris' performance is a tour de force, superbly portraying a challenging (and challenged) individual, and Marcia Gay Harden is excellent (and rightly recognised by the Academy) as his wife, artist Lee Krasner.It's apparent from Mr. Harris' portrayal that Pollock was a difficult person to deal with and it seems clear that he had mental health issues – quite possibly being bipolar, in spite of his talents as an artist he is not a likable character for whatever reason.But despite the fact that neither Pollock's art nor his personality do anything for me, Mr. Harris' film is absolutely compelling and a very rewarding watch. The painting scenes are remarkable, they have a hypnotic quality and in their raw creativity are a stark counterpoint to the destructive tendencies that the man exhibited at times. They also present moments calm in the alcohol-fuelled whirlwind that apparently surrounded Pollock for periods of his life.If you like biography I think you will enjoy this piece, it's a career-topping performance and a brilliant portrayal of an intriguing talent and the people around him.
A biopic on American Painter, Jackson Pollock. 'Pollock' is a terrible letdown, because the late-icon himself was one disappointed man. As a cinematic experience, this one's a major letdown! Ed Harris stars as Pollock, whose entire life comes across as depressing. Harris, the actor, is in form. But Harris, the filmmaker chooses the wrong subject. Cinema is a different medium altogether. We watch movies to get entertained. And biopics, mostly, have been hugely engaging experiences. But this biopic, is simply bland! Ed Harris's direction is dull. Can't blame him, cause his biopic is upon a dull person. The Cinematography doesn't strike either. In the acting department, Harris lives his part and becomes the late icon. But the show belongs to Marcia Gay Harden, who delivers a knock-out performance as Pollock's wife. She is the life of the show! Jennifer Connelly, in a brief role, looks stunning! Val Kilmer makes an appearance.On the whole, 'Pollock' doesn't work as a cinematic experience. Thumbs Down!



