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Basquiat

Play trailer Poster for Basquiat R 1996 1h 48m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Despite living a life of extreme poverty in Brooklyn, graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright) strives to rise up through the heady New York art scene of the 1970s and 1980s. He becomes the brightest star of neo-Expressionist painting and one of the most successful painters of his time, and even develops a friendship with Andy Warhol (David Bowie). But Basquiat's tumultuous life, specifically his addiction to heroin, overshadows his rise to fame, threatening all.

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Basquiat

Basquiat

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Critics Consensus

With affected strokes, Basquiat paints an expressionist portrait of a misfit artist, masterfully rendered by a riveting Jeffrey Wright.

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Critics Reviews

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Derek Smith Slant Magazine 04/25/2025
It’s in the quieter, more character-based scenes that the film at least begins to penetrate Basquiat’s mystique, homing in on his vulnerability, sense of wonder, and how he sees the world around him. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 03/31/2010
There isn't a boring shot anywhere, and writer-director Schnabel is clearly enjoying himself as he plays with expressionist sound, neo-Eisensteinian edits, and all sorts of other filmic ideas. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom 09/16/2004
4/5
Wright is brilliant. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Jul 5
6/10
[Basquiat] is most definitely a Julian Schnabel film and also a portrait of someone who may or may not be similar in character and manner to the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat. Go to Full Review Michael Musto The Advocate 06/07/2022
Despite all the loving care, there's a slight lack of power in the presentation, which is surprisingly straightforward, except for some heavy-handed attempts at lyricism. Go to Full Review David Reddish Queerty 03/20/2022
4/4
Basquiat pulls back the veil on a man gifted with artistic genius, and the inherent insecurity that talent brings. If a genius brain burns white-hot, how can said genius ever not get burned? Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dani G @RT81139271 Aug 25 Some raw directing, raw screenwriting, raw editing, and mostly raw acting... But I think it's ok See more Jeremiah C. @Jeremiah_Cobra Aug 16 I don’t know whether to hate this movie for its perpetuation of a no-talent hack of neo-expressionist garbage or love it for accurately depicting the art world’s exploitation of “the true voice of the gutter” done by the nonsensical scribblings of a heroin-addicted homeless person. Given its lack of a plot or any likes or characters, I’ll keep my score at the lower end of the spectrum. It gets points for authenticity and for giving Wright an opportunity for a breakthrough performance—even though I personally found the material they gave him middling to say the least. See more Michael K @RT03630580 05/05/2025 Jean-Michel Basquiat offers viewers an insight into a brief life within the art world. This film marks Julian Schnabel’s directorial debut, Julian is a painter and filmmaker who was a friend of Basquiat's. The character Sean, who sometimes appears mute, is a young man of African and Haitian descent who was both a musician and a painter. The film has a smooth flow. If every famous actor in this movie gave me a nickel, I would have a pocket full of them. The impressive cast alone is a reason to watch this remarkable film. Ultimately, the film itself becomes a work of art. See more Oaklee D @ODie63 01/22/2025 A tasteful and well made biopic on one of the artworlds big stars. See more Julian S @akajulianscott 11/18/2024 The cast is stellar, but the film ends abruptly, almost as if Schnabel ran out of steam. See more JASON J @RT10212660 09/25/2024 Well written and well acted. Even if you are not a fan of Basquiat’s art, I think you would enjoy the story. If you are, if think you will love it. See more Read all reviews
Basquiat

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Cast & Crew

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Julian Schnabel

Director

Jeffrey Wright

Jean Michel Basquiat

Michael Wincott

Rene Ricard

Benicio del Toro

Benny Dalmau

Claire Forlani

Gina Cardinale

David Bowie

Andy Warhol

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Basquiat

Basquiat (1996) Basquiat (1996) Basquiat (1996) Basquiat (1996) Basquiat with Andy Warhol Basquiat, Warhol, Milo & Bischofberger Jeffrey Wright stars as Jean Michel Basquiat Bischofberger & Warhol Jeffrey Wright stars as Jean Michel Basquiat View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Despite living a life of extreme poverty in Brooklyn, graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright) strives to rise up through the heady New York art scene of the 1970s and 1980s. He becomes the brightest star of neo-Expressionist painting and one of the most successful painters of his time, and even develops a friendship with Andy Warhol (David Bowie). But Basquiat's tumultuous life, specifically his addiction to heroin, overshadows his rise to fame, threatening all.
Director
Julian Schnabel
Producer
Jon Kilik, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, Randy Ostrow
Screenwriter
Julian Schnabel, Lech Majewski, John F. Bowe
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax Films, Eleventh Street Production, Jon Kilik
Rating
R (Strong Language|Drug Use)
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 9, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$25.4K
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)