Watch Acute Misfortune

Acute Misfortune is a 2018 Australian biographical drama film based on the real-life events surrounding the troubled artist, Adam Cullen. The film chronicles the feted art critic Erik Jensen's tumultuous relationship with the notorious painter and the turbulent three-year period in which Jensen is tasked with writing a biography of the artist.

The film is an intense and occasionally harrowing account of the complex and violent relationship between the two men. Australian actor Daniel Henshall gives a raw and riveting performance as Adam Cullen, a brilliant but damaged artist who struggles with addiction, mental illness and self-destructive behavior. He is a loose cannon, with a volatile temper and a deep-seated hatred of authority. Through Henshall's powerful performance, we get a sense of the artist's genius as well as his darkness, and the film portrays the intensity of Cullen's vision as he is portrayed in a lived-in style.

Toby Wallace portrays the young writer Erik Jensen, who becomes deeply enmeshed in Cullen's world as he tries to write his biography. Jensen is initially drawn to Cullen's work and his larger-than-life persona, but as he becomes involved in the artist's life, he is forced to confront the reality of Cullen's demons. The film charts the obsessive nature of Jensen's relationship with Cullen, and the ways in which he becomes complicit in his self-destruction. This is a coming of age story for Jensen, as he tries to make sense of the erratic and self-sabotaging behavior of Cullen.

The film is directed by Thomas M. Wright, who creates a visceral and artful portrayal of the two men's relationship. Wright's direction has a dreamlike quality, with moments of heightened reality juxtaposed with scenes of gritty realism. The film is shot in a frenetic, handheld style, which gives it a sense of immediacy and intensity.

The supporting cast is excellent, with Gillian Jones giving an affecting performance as the artist's long-suffering mother, and Max Cullen portraying the troubled artist's father. The film also features a haunting score by Lisa Gerrard, which adds to the film's dreamlike quality.

Acute Misfortune is a deeply affecting film, that manages to be both beautiful and brutal in equal measures. The film is a portrait of a tortured artist, but it is also a meditation on the nature of the relationship between an artist and his work, and the ways in which art can be used to both heal and destroy. The themes that are explored, such as mental illness, addiction, and the nature of artistic expression, are universal, and the film is ultimately a poignant and powerful reflection on the human condition.

In conclusion, Acute Misfortune is a cinematic tour de force that tells the story of the troubled artist Adam Cullen and the writer Erik Jensen, and their turbulent three-year relationship. The film features powerful performances from Daniel Henshall and Toby Wallace, and is beautifully directed by Thomas M. Wright. The film is a meditation on the nature of art, and the complex and often destructive relationships between artists and their subjects. Acute Misfortune is a must-see for anyone interested in the human condition, and an extraordinary portrait of an artist on the edge.

Acute Misfortune is a 2018 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.