“High Art 1998″ is a film about a young magazine editor who falls in love with a reclusive, drug-addicted photographer. The photographer becomes the muse that inspires her to explore her own creativity and break free from her mundane life. However, their relationship is tinged with darkness and destruction as they navigate the art world’s drug-fueled, cut-throat culture.”
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Review
“The silver screen is a wondrous invention. A vivid kaleidoscope of moving images, encapsulated within the confines of a darkened room. And while there are plenty of tales that seek to entertain, there are rare few that seek to enlighten.”
Such is the case with High Art, a 1998 film helmed by Lisa Cholodenko. This film takes us on a journey through two vastly different worlds – the world of photography and the rarified air of high art.
The film’s protagonist, Syd (played by Radha Mitchell) is a young photo editor at Frame magazine struggling to find her footing in her chosen profession. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Lucy (Ally Sheedy), a reclusive photographer who has been missing from the public eye for years.
Lucy’s work is as haunting as it is beautiful – capturing raw emotion and creating an ethereal landscape that draws in the viewer. Syd is immediately captivated by Lucy’s work and begs her boss to feature it in their next issue. This sets into motion a series of events that will change both women forever.
As Syd deepens her relationship with Lucy, she begins to see beyond the layers of pain and addiction that have kept her hidden away for so long. And as Lucy reveals more about herself and her art, Syd begins to question whether success in high art may come at too great a cost.
While this might sound like an ordinary plotline, Cholodenko manages to take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster ride filled with subtle depth and nuance. The script manages to weave multiple themes together – sexual identity, addiction, love, ambition – while keeping each one separate enough for viewers not to get lost in their complexity.
The acting throughout this movie deserves special attention as well. Ally Sheedy’s portrayal of Lucy was nothing short of striking – gritty and vulnerable all at once. Radha Mitchell, on the other hand, brings an understated grace to Syd’s character. The relationship between the two women is both raw and delicate, beautifully capturing the complexity of relationships themselves.
One particularly memorable quote from Lucy is when she talks about why she stopped showing her work: “I just disappeared into my own little world and stopped caring about anything else.”
This line speaks volumes about the reality of artists and how their art can often become all-consuming. While it might be tempting to dismiss Lucy as simply another “tortured artist,” High Art manages to create a more profound understanding of who Lucy is and why she has turned away from her craft.
The history of High Art itself is fascinating as well. Lisa Cholodenko drew much of her inspiration from photographers like Sally Mann and Nan Goldin. In interviews, Cholodenko has said that she wanted to explore how individuals use their art as a way to escape or transcend their current circumstances.
This exploration led to much discussion and debate after the film was released – some lauded it for its powerful message, while others criticized it for being too slow-paced or ambiguous in its storytelling.
Regardless, High Art managed to capture a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also won multiple awards at both Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival, further cementing its place in cinematic history.
The cinematography throughout this movie is also breathtaking. From sweeping shots of New York City skyline to intimate close-ups of hands holding film stock – each frame feels like a work of art in itself.
And while the subject matter may be dark at times, moments of levity do creep in – such as when Syd tries drugs for the first time with Lucy’s neighbor (played by Patricia Clarkson), leading to an amusingly trippy sequence that lingers long after it’s over.
All in all, High Art is a movie that refuses to be easy to categorize. It’s both a love story and a sober look at the often-brutal world of art. It’s a film that lingers long after it’s over, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.
In the end, this is perhaps what makes High Art worth watching – its ability to capture the fleeting nature of life and art, reminding us all that both are beautiful but also deeply fleeting.
Technical Data
- Release : 1998-06-12
- Runtime : 101
- Genre : Drama, Romance
- Cast : Radha Mitchell as Syd, Gabriel Mann as James, Ally Sheedy as Lucy Berliner, Patricia Clarkson as Greta, Charis Michelsen as Debby
- Crew : Suzanne Crowley as Casting, Billy Hopkins as Casting, Kerry Barden as Casting, Caryn Marcus as Art Direction, Dolly Hall as Producer
- Revenue : $1,929,168
- Budget : 0
- Company : Antidote Films, October Films, 391 Productions
- Popularity : 14.776
- Summary : A young female intern at a small magazine company becomes involved with a drug-addicted lesbian photographer, both of whom seek to exploit each other for their respective careers, while slowly falling in love with each other.
- Tagline : a story of ambition, sacrifice, seduction and other career moves.
