Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 12/15/2000(USA
Release Date: 07/24/2001
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Run Time: 122 Minutes
Flags: Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations
Distributor/Studio: Columbia TriStar
Artist
Jackson Pollock revolutionized American painting in the 1940's with his exciting abstract canvases that used dripped and splattered paint in a manner at once excitingly physical and structurally intelligent. While
Pollock became a heroic figure in the art world, his private life was nothing to envy, and this biography looks at both his professional triumphs and personal tragedies. In 1941,
Pollock (
Ed Harris) was a bitter and struggling painter when he met
Lee Krasner (
Marcia Gay Harden), a fellow artist with whom he was appearing in a joint gallery show.
Krasner was intrigued by
Pollock, and immediately sensed the importance of his work; they quickly became lovers, and as
Krasner realized his superior talent, she began devoting herself to promoting
Pollock's work. When
Peggy Guggenheim (
Amy Madigan) agreed to present a show of
Pollock's paintings at her Art of This Century gallery, his name was made, and a profile in
Life magazine solidified his reputation as one of the art world's most important figures. But success did not bring
Pollock peace of mind; while he long had a taste for alcohol, his new fame sent his drinking out of control, and his infidelity with numerous women (including
Guggenheim) eventually destroyed his relationship with
Krasner.
Pollock was the first feature directed by actor
Ed Harris, who also plays the title role; the cast also includes
Val Kilmer as artist
Willem de Kooning and
Jennifer Connelly as
Ruth Kligman, one of
Pollock's lovers.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide