Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe (2007)
-
84% of critics liked it
(19 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(436 ratings)
After serving in the Navy during World War II, Sam Wagstaff came home to New York City and pursued a career in advertising, and through his work in the ad game he developed a keen interest in photography. Reflecting his own personal evolution as he came to accept his homosexuality, Wagstaff became… More After serving in the Navy during World War II, Sam Wagstaff came home to New York City and pursued a career in advertising, and through his work in the ad game he developed a keen interest in photography. Reflecting his own personal evolution as he came to accept his homosexuality, Wagstaff became an enthusiastic collector of art photography and gained a reputation as a curator, organizing a number of important museum shows of new photographers and becoming a friend and confidante of artists such as Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Richard Tuttle, and Tony Smith. In the early '70s, Wagstaff met a young photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe, who shared a loft with his best friend, a poet and aspiring musician named Patti Smith. Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe became first friends and then lovers, and as enthusiastic supporters of Smith's work they traveled between New York's upscale art community and the punk rock scene that was emerging on the Bowery. Passionate allies in art and life who explored the edges of human experience, Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe were partners for life, but their lives were cut short by AIDS -- the disease claimed Wagstaff in 1987, and Mapplethorpe in 1989. Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe is a documentary by filmmaker James Crump that explores the lives of two remarkable people, their circle of talented friends, and the community and times which surrounded them. Black White + Gray received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- James Crump
- Written By
- James Crump
- Genres
- Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Gay & Lesbian, Special Interest
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 19, 2007 Limited
- On DVD
- Apr 8, 2008
- Studio
- Arthouse Films
Critic Reviews
-
David Jenkins, Time Out
Crump's film colourfully depicts Wagstaff's complex inner mindset and rarefied eye for imagery by allowing the stunning prints to linger on the screen.
-
Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune
The movie makes its main point. Wagstaff was an important, complex, fascinating figure, well worth remembering.
-
Kenneth Baker, San Francisco Chronicle
Wagstaff's character accounts for some of the frustration the film induces. Crumb's documentary style accounts for the rest.
-
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Wagstaff was a fascinating figure and deserves the detailed tribute provided here.
-
Stephen Holden, New York Times
A potent exercise in art-world mythography.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Joan Juliet Buck
as Narrator
- Sam Wagstaff
- Robert Mapplethorpe
- Patti Smith
- Jeffrey Fraenkel
- Tukey Koffend
- Eugenia Parry
- Dominick Dunne
- John Richardson
- John Szarkowski
- Holly Solomon
- Ingrid Sischy
- Clark Worswick
- Raymond Foye
- Pierre Apraxine
- Philippe Garner
- Paul Walter
- Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
- John Giorno
- Ralph Gibson
- Dick Cavett
- Truman Capote
- Richart Tuttle
- Jean-Jacques Naudet
- Agnes Martin
- Henry Geldahler
- Tony Smith
- Gordon Baldwin
- Henry Geldzahler
- Richard Tuttle
