Watch Pollock
- 2017
- 23 min
The movie Pollock is an American biographical drama film based on the life of famous American painter Jackson Pollock, played by Ed Harris. The movie chronicles the life of Pollock from his early success to his decline through alcoholism and his untimely death. The movie starts with the avant-garde art scene of early 1940s New York City, where Pollock, a young artist, struggles to make a name for himself. He is living with his older brother, Sanford (played by Robert Knott), who is a struggling artist as well. They are both trying to make it in the rapidly changing art world of the time, full of new artistic movements and famous names.
Pollock's life changes when he meets Lee Krasner (played by Marcia Gay Harden), who is also an artist. They quickly fall in love, and Krasner becomes both his artistic muse and his partner. With the support of Krasner and his friends, including the art critic Clement Greenberg (played by Jeffrey Tambor), Pollock begins to develop his unique style of abstract expressionism, which would eventually make him one of the most famous American painters of the 20th century.
As Pollock's fame grows, so does his inner turmoil, fuelled by his alcoholism and his own insecurity. The movie portrays Pollock as a complex, difficult character, who struggles with his demons throughout his life. As his success and public profile increase, he becomes even more self-destructive, alienating those closest to him and even his most devoted fans.
The movie also shows the close relationship between Pollock and Krasner, who becomes his rock throughout his career. Krasner is portrayed as a strong, independent woman, and her role in Pollock's success is portrayed as essential. The relationship between the two is complex, with arguments and tensions emerging between them, but ultimately, Krasner remains Pollock's strongest supporter.
Throughout the movie, the viewer gets a sense of the art world of the time, with its complex politics and relationships. It also portrays the social changes of post-World War II America, with the rise of abstract expressionism as a uniquely American artistic movement.
One of the most striking features of the movie is the cinematography, which captures the essence of Pollock's paintings. The camera work is deliberately abstract, with close-ups of paint splatters and vivid, bold colours. The viewer sees the world through Pollock's eyes, with the camera work and editing giving a sense of his frenzied creative process.
Overall, Pollock is a powerful movie that portrays a complex, difficult artist and the world he inhabited. With strong performances from the cast, excellent cinematography, and a powerful script, this movie is a must-see for anyone interested in the world of art or the life of one of America's most famous painters.