Ed Harris (The Abyss, The Hours) delivers the performance of his career in Pollock, the story of American artist Jackson Pollock, who revolutionized American painting in the 1940s in New York City. Harris, who also directed the movie, portrays Pollock as an emotionally and mentally unstable wreck of a human being whose personal demons were often overshadowed, or should I say overlooked, by his adept skill in abstract painting. His use of dripping and splattering wild combinations of colors was unique and new and captured the attention of some of America’s most notable artists, museum owners, and journalists.
The first shot of the movie shows a 1950 Pollock looking off toward something in the distance as he sips a cocktail and is wowed by a crowd of artsy art artgoers. He exudes confidence in this shot and looks like the ultimate professional. We are then taken back nine years prior and see a completely different Jackson Pollock. He is stumbling up the staircase to his brother’s apartment with a buddy. He’s drunk, and through his slurred speech, we can hear him talking about Pablo Picasso. The following day, it is evident that there is extreme tension and dislike between Pollock and his brother’s wife. She does not like him, a sentiment shared by many who get to know Pollock. What we learn about Pollock is that before 1941, he had already been hospitalized for a nervous breakdown. For the next few years, he continued to struggle, meeting fellow artist Lee Krasner (Marcia Gay Harden – Mystic River, The Mist). The pair soon start a steady relationship with one another.
When Peggy Guggenheim (Amy Madigan – Winter Passing, Gone Baby Gone) agrees to present a show of Pollock’s paintings at her Art of This Century gallery, he becomes a made man. When Life magazine profiles him, the envy and fear of failure he had been feeling for years slowly dissipates. All of his problems seem to be solved. However, success does not bring Pollock peace of mind. Though a raging alcoholic before becoming famous, his newly discovered fame sends his drinking out of control, and his infidelities with numerous women soon come to destroy his relationship with his wife. These events lead us back to 1950 and the opening scene of the movie. And rather than looking like a confident, professional tradesperson, we know he is far from that. At best, he’s a troubled soul who needs professional help. At worst, he’s an obsessive-compulsive who is in dire need of professional help.
The remaining third of the movie shows his self-destruction as an artist, as a husband, and as a person. The scenes between Pollock and his wife are intense. It feels slightly uncomfortable to watch scenes like this alone. I can’t imagine what it might be like watching it with a partner. His uncontrollable drinking doesn’t cure his problems. His affairs with a much younger woman bring him only temporary satisfaction. Abstract art is art that involves a pure expression of the unconscious without any attempt to mimic recognizable shapes and figures. With that in mind, Jackson Pollock can be defined as a very abstract human being.
Harris did his homework for this movie. He is a gifted actor but never considered a guy who could carry a film alone. His portrayal of Pollock was meticulous in every detail, from his facial and body expressions to his verbal tirades to his frantic and fragile emotions. At first, Harris’s performance is an interesting character study. How his feelings go from calm and controlled to anger and rage to somber and remorseful at the flick of a switch is enthralling, but soon you become frightened as to when Pollack will act out next. His tirades are physically and verbally abusive, most notably to his wife. Harden earned a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her performance as Krasner, a woman who devoted her life to promoting Pollock’s paintings. She continually stands beside her husband no matter how poorly he treats her and no matter how much he rips her life apart. If you haven’t seen Marcia Gay Harden before, you will almost certainly go through her filmography on a website like www.imdb.com after viewing this movie. She goes toe to toe with Harris when Pollock says some of the most brutal things a husband could ever think to say, let alone say, to his wife. Without knowing Lee Krasner, you’ll leave the movie happy that you did not have to lead her life.
Jackson Pollock’s story is a real American tragedy. His slow rise from poverty to fame was undoubtedly not meteoric, but when the success did come, Pollock needed to prepare to handle it. Prominence made him just as angry at the world as he was when he was a struggling novice. Those close to him tried to help him, but when Pollock refused the help he was offered and could not help himself on his own, he became a doomed man. You don’t have to be an artist or enjoy art to appreciate this movie. If you are a fan of analyzing human emotion or a fan of exceptional acting, then you will enjoy this movie. If you are an Ed Harris fan, it’s a must-see.
Plot 10/10
Character Development 10/10
Character Chemistry 9/10
Acting 9.5/10
Screenplay 9/10
Directing 9/10
Cinematography 9/10
Sound 8/10
Hook and Reel 7/10
Universal Relevance 8.5/10
89%