The portrayal of the central character, by showing non-verbal aspects of his life, like the intensity of his focus when engaged in creative works, or his silent, brooding intensity when confronting the naked racism that patronizing, rich connoisseurs often showed towards his works, helps the viewer better understand the torment that fueled the genius. To know, for example, the fact that Basquiat had a three-hundred dollar a week cocaine habit means little, it does not tell us why he continued to use drugs and still had the drive to create art. Although the film portrays the full Warhol milieu, as it was such an integral part of Basquiat's discovery, and provided the environment where his works were created and received, it does not glamorize New York during the 'Studio 54' years. It also does not glamorize drug use, as it stresses that Andy Warhol hoped that Basquiat would get off of drugs, and put his potential to better use.
Film allows small details to speak volumes from the artist's short life, like when he sees his mother in a mental institution, and goes stumbling through the streets of New York afterwards, spiritually shattered by the sight. The addition of music and sound effects also add to the sense of Basquiat's addled consciousness, and gives a more textured 'feel' of what it was like to live when he did, given that music was such an important part of street and club life. Hoban's use of interviews provides a sharp and incisive critique of the racism and the liberal attitudes towards fidelity and substance...
A budding art student seeking to truly understand Basquiat would be better directed to studying his visual works. Someone trying to understand his soul might be better directed to the film, for all of its brevity. Everyone, however, who is familiar with Basquiat can at least take this one lesson from his legacy -- the importance of art to young people in the world today. Without the ability to hone his technique and to find his artist voice, Basquiat would simply be another drug addict, long forgotten by the word. Words and the left side of the brain are not suited for everyone, as they seek to find a vehicle of expression, and using art to help alienated young people connect with the world is important, not just for tormented individuals like Basquiat, but for everyone striving to live their lives in a more meaningful fashion. Art is a way to express life eternally, and transcends gossip and fashion.
Works Cited
Basquiat." 1996. Written and directed by Julian Schnabel.
Hoban, Phoebe. Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art. New York: Penguin, 1999.
