Watch Whiteley

Whiteley is a biographical documentary film about the life of one of Australia's most celebrated painters, Brett Whiteley. Directed by James Bogle, the film tells the story of Whiteley's life through a combination of archival footage, interviews with family and friends, and re-enactments. The film begins with a young Brett Whiteley growing up in the beachside suburb of Longueville, Sydney. From an early age, he showed a talent for art and was encouraged by his parents to pursue his passion. As a teenager, Whiteley attended the prestigious Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, where he was influenced by the works of European masters such as Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec.

After completing his studies, Whiteley spent several years travelling and working in Europe, where he was exposed to the world's great cultural institutions and met his future wife, Wendy. In the 1960s, he returned to Australia and quickly became one of the leading figures in the country's art scene, regularly exhibiting his paintings and drawings in galleries across the country.

Throughout the film, we see Whiteley's artistic career evolve and flourish as he experiments with new mediums and techniques, falls in and out of love, and battles personal demons such as drug addiction and depression. Despite these struggles, Whiteley continued to produce stunning works of art that captured the beauty and complexity of Australia's landscape and people.

The film is a visual feast, with stunning footage of Whiteley's paintings, as well as breathtaking shots of the Australian countryside that inspired his work. The soundtrack is also a highlight, featuring music from artists such as Bob Dylan and The Velvet Underground that capture the 1960s and 70s counterculture that Whiteley was a part of.

But the heart of the film is the interviews with Whiteley's family and friends, who offer intimate glimpses into his private life and personal struggles. His wife Wendy is a particularly compelling figure, recalling the highs and lows of her life with Whiteley and the toll that his addiction and infidelity took on their relationship. Other interviewees include art critic and curator Barry Pearce, who provides expert insight into Whiteley's artistic legacy, and fellow artist George Gittoes, who offers a fascinating perspective on the Australian art scene of the 60s and 70s.

Overall, Whiteley is a moving tribute to one of Australia's greatest artists, capturing both the beauty of his work and the complexities of his life. Whether you're a fan of art or simply interested in a fascinating biographical portrait, this film is well worth seeing.

Whiteley is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.