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| A particularly deep-felt bit of critical praise fills up almost half of this poster for Ed Harris' Pollock |
The film follows American painter Jackson Pollock as a young artist from New York around the onset of the 2nd World War, his meeting Lee Krasner, their later marriage and his art and downfall.
Pollock is written by Barbara Turner and Susan Emshwiller (Ugandan Pollock (2016), both), adapting Jackson Pollock: An American Saga (1989) by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith (Gene Davis (1982), both), and directed by great New-Jerseyite filmmaker, debuting Ed Harris (Westworld (2016-22)), who also stars in the title lead.
Harris emulates Pollock impressively; his intensity, impulsivity, gloom and creativity. And Marcia Gay Harden (Pink Skies Ahead (2020)) is just as resplendent as Krasner. The two have vibrantly strong scenes in Pollock, a completely ravishing portrait of one of the most exciting artist's of the 20th century.
Jeffrey Tambor (Trolls (2016)) and Amy Madigan (Stuck (2017)) are good in supporting roles. The film has a fine score (by Jeff Beal (The Grab (2022))) and a shocking - but authentic - ending. It is an impressive reconstruction of an artist and his art-making.
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2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]
2008 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
2008 in films - according to Film Excess
Appaloosa (2008) - Best traditional American western in 16 years (co-writer/co-producer/director/co-star)
Cleaner (2008, video) or, Suit-Wearing Papa Cleaner-Man! (co-star)
Gone Baby Gone (2007) - Difficult decisions await in Affleck's Lehane adaptation crime drama debut (co-star)
A History of Violence (2005) - Cronenberg's powerful rumination of our violence (co-star)
National Treasure (2004) - Stars shine in Turteltaub's preposterous adventure baloney (actor)
The Human Stain (2003) - Stellar cast drives Benton's Roth adaptation (actor)
The Hours (2002) - Everything gels in Daldry's phenomenal adaptation (actor)
Absolute Power (1997) - Eastwood stumbles with low-caliber thriller (co-star)
The Firm (1993) - Pollack and Cruise scored big with 1993's lesser Grisham adaptation (actor)
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: 6 mil. $
Box office: 10.9 mil. $
= Big flop (returned 1.81 times its cost)
[Pollock premiered 6 September (Venice Film Festival) and runs 122 minutes. Harris had been working on the idea of making the film since his father had given him the Pollock book due to the fact that he found his soon to strongly resemble the painter. Harden was paid 1 mil. $ for her performance. Shooting took place from April - August 1999 in New York, with a 6-week hiatus in the middle for Harris to gain 30 pounds and grow a beard. The film opened #37 to a 44k $ first weekend in 2 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #17 and in 280 theaters (different weeks), grossing 8.5 mil. $ (78 % of the total gross). The film was nominated or 2 Oscars, winning for Best Supporting Actress (Harden) and losing Best Actor (Harris) to Russell Crow in Gladiator. It was also nominated for an Independent Spirit award, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 4/4 star review, translating to a notch under this one. Harris returned with Appaloosa (2008); and as an actor he returned in Enemy at the Gates (2001); Harden in Thin Air (2000, TV movie) and From Where I Sit (2000, TV movie) prior to her theatrical return in Gaudi Afternoon (2001). Pollock is certified fresh at 80 % with a 6.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of Pollock?
