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Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 8-FEB-2005
Media Type: DVDSyd (Radha Mitchell) is an editor at a painfully pretentious art magazine; by chance, she becomes acquainted with lesbian photographer Lucy (Ally Sheedy) and her weirdo German girlfriend (Patricia Clarkson, in a strange Dietrich-like role). Syd becomes captivated with Lucy and her work and, smelling a career move, offers to feature her in the next issue of the magazine. The two become attracted, but their relationship is fraught with perils–Syd loses her rather square boyfriend, Lucy’s girlfriend takes a hike, the avaricious management at the magazine pressures Syd, and, most importantly, the pair begins to travel down the road of heroin addiction. Besides the lesbian theme, High Art addresses such subtexts as what an artist will (or won’t) be willing to do for recognition, and what price that recognition carries. High Art is a remarkably honest work, painful at times but understated and thoughtful. It does an excellent job of portraying the heroin-induced torpor of Lucy and her bohemian friends as they lie around and become consumed with the stuff. It’s a cautionary tale, a sincere love story, a reflection on the nature of art, and a “lesbian film” for which the lesbianism is integral but not part of an overriding agenda. Sheedy is excellent, as is Mitchell in a very expressive role. It’s far from being a feel-good movie, but High Art undeniably has some power behind it that will stick with you past the closing credits. –Jerry Renshaw
May 23, 2008
#1
It takes a lot to make me give a one-star review, but this film has earned it.
First, in order to be capital A R T, the main character has to die in the end, otherwise it isn’t. This film is A R T. Can’t have anybody getting better in the end or getting it together!
Second, other than the main character dying (off stage of course, we can’t have her die on stage, that would be melodrama)–other than that, in order for it to be A R T, nothing has to happen for the entire film. This film is A R T.
It’s challenging to make a film in which nothing happens, and Art-filmmaker wannabes work hard at it. This one takes a more direct approach. She has people sitting around taking drugs for 90 out of 94 minutes and mumbling incoherently. How many different ways can you take drugs and stumble around and mumble?
Third, throw in background music that is also A R T–no, don’t get me wrong! Not classical music! That isn’t A R T !!! This one makes sure you get that it’s A R T by putting a loud high-pitched hum on the soundtrack for the first five minutes. A R T — get it?
Fourth, to make sure nobody is tempted to do some independent thinking, drop some names–Barthes, Derrida, etc.–that’ll intimidate anybody.
And show some boring photographs and DARE anyone to say they’re boring.
Oh, and that R rating? And the nudity? Gonzo! This film is PG. Or maybe PG-13 because of all the drug use.
In short, this film has absolutely nothing going for it. If you want high value in this film, you’ll have to supply it yourself. Maybe you could invest in the acting–must take talent, after all, to stumble around and mumble incoherently, sway and roll your eyes. Maybe you could come up with something else. But you’ll have to do it, because this film is not going to help you out. It’s up to you!
May 23, 2008
#2
of all the movies i have seen in this catergory this movie was dissapointing to me. poor acting and hard to understand dialoge. would get a refund if you were in australia. but it is too much hassle to poste back overseas. and it could get lost in the mail.
debra
May 23, 2008
#3
Whoever made this film is obviously trying to impress upon the viewer the idea that artists are deep complex people. But all I see in the film are low life drug addict losers who sit around (few of them seem to have jobs) and party all day. The main character (Sid) is a pseudointellectual who claims she majored in Critical Theory in college (ultra liberal nonsense which has the goal of undermining Western Culture to pave the pathway for Marxism). The film appeals to naive youth.
May 23, 2008
#4
an interesting look at aging artists living a decade too late in the era of “rent”, but it sells out in its final minutes with the too predictable demise of the ally sheedy character. ive always liked ally; shes one of those girls who looks like a teenage boy.
May 23, 2008
#5
First off, Mitchell and Sheedy gave incredible performances. Both were so natural (Sheedy was always my favorite Brat Packer) and I never doubted for an instant these were real people, not just stock junkie lesbian characters. My problem was with the screenplay. I could almost feel the director’s elbow in my ribs, poking me at every “shocking” scene. Everyone wallows in the excess, and it eventually brings the entire film down. I finally did not care about these people, and the final twist ending was more expected than new.