Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010)
Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 33
Fresh: 28 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 7.1/10
Critic Reviews: 12
Fresh: 10 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 614
My Rating
Movie Info
In his short career, Jean-Michel Basquiat was a phenomenon. He became notorious for his graffiti art under the moniker Samo in the late 1970s on the Lower East Side scene, sold his first painting to Deborah Harry for $200, and became best friends with Andy Warhol. Appreciated by both the art cognoscenti and the public, Basquiat was launched into international stardom. However, soon his cult status began to override the art that had made him famous in the first place. Director Tamra Davis pays
Watch It Now
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (34) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (5) | DVD (2)
Tamra Davis's documentary does serve as a worthy companion to Julian Schnabel's 1996 biopic.
Top CriticIn the end the art must speak for the artist; Davis wisely stands aside and lets the magical images tell their tales.
A touching portrait that may not be the last word on the painter, but has facts and context to burn.
The intimate, home video footage -- which has never been shown -- feels poignant, a throwback to Basquiat's early days on the New York scene when he got by on his good looks, an elusive inner confidence, and the generosity of others.
[Davis] underplays the place of drugs in the downtown club scene, treating the artist's heroin use as a nearly unaccountable late affliction.
While it is wonderful to see so many Basquiat paintings, at the film's end the viewer is left feeling complicit in the exploitation.
What may convince viewers of the quality of the art and the genius of its creator is the barrage of so many paintings, flashing each briefly before the eyes.
Basquiat appears to be a slippery subject, not unlike Bob Dylan, who is very difficult to decipher.
Conclusive proof that, in certain exclusive circles, it's still better financially to flameout than to fade away.
[Director Tamra Davis] uses [a rare] interview as the foundation for an eye-opening look at Basquiat?s meteoric career ? and how art, fame, drugs and media collided in this one young man?s life.
When you see J-M's works next to Da Vinci, Picasso and Grey's Anatomy, you can see their influence, but their ideas take on new tone, texture and style under Basquiat's brush.
It's not an easy thing to actually give a sense of a person in a documentary, but Radiant Child pulls it off.
Finally, a film about an artist acknowledges that the art is what's important.
...may not be a well-rounded portrait of the man, but it's a powerful look at the artist.
Fame ultimately wore him down, but we can see Basquiat's influence all around us, on factory walls, in museums, and in Ms. Davis' adoring doc.
A lively and persuasive look at the artist's life, oeuvre, and impact.
An absorbing but fawning documentary about doomed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, built around an old, never-before-seen interview with him.
Will likely go down as the definitive account of a too-brief career and life...(The film) is fast-moving without sacrificing depth or detail.
Audience Reviews for Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child
Super Reviewer
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child yet.
Latest News on Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child
July 23, 2010:
Critics Consensus: Salt Is Moderately TastyThis week at the movies, we've got a spy on the run (Salt, starring Angelina Jolie and Liev...
What's Hot On RT
The Last Stand, Side Effects
Trailer for new Coen Bros movie
Fast & Furious cars gallery
Blockbusters ranked!
Featured on RT
- In Pictures: The Cars of Fast & Furious 0
- Digital Multiplex: Warm Bodies and Aftershock 4
- Discover the Best-Reviewed Films in Summer Movie Scorecard 2013 0
- RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Last Stand and Side Effects 16
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: Star Trek Softer Than Expected at #1 85
- Weekly Ketchup: Will Smith to Star in Wild Bunch Remake? 39
- Critics Consensus: Star Trek Into Darkness is Certified Fresh 107
Top Headlines
-
Which Film Franchise Has Been the Best for Female Characters?
2
-
Damon Lindelof Talks Tomorrowland
0
-
10 Movies About Really Fast Cars
0
-
Poltergeist Remake Synopsis Hints at Plot Differences
6
-
Kristen Wiig Says Welcome to Me
1
-
David Fincher's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Gets Bumped
0
-
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance Remake in the Works
0
Fresh Links
Featured
Star Trek Movies Ranked
HitFix offers their own take on the worst-to-best of the Enterprise crew's cinematic adventures.
Top 10 Star Trek Villains
Rolling Stone unveils the Enterprise's most irksome adversaries.
Celebrity Yearkbook Flashback
We'll bet you never realized how many stars were cheerleaders and high school athletes!
50 Most Classic Movie Moms
In celebration of Mother's Day, TimeOut offers up 50 iconic matriarchs from the big screen.
Weirdest Movie Siblings
From Twins to The Royal Tenenbaums, Moviefone explores cinema's oddest siblings.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter!
Spice up your feed with hourly Tomatometer updates!
