August Darnell, David McDermott, Debbie Harry, Deborah Harry, Jean Michel Basquiat ...( see more  see more... ) , John Lurie

The film is a day in the life of a young artist, Jean Michel Basquiat, who needs to raise money to reclaim the apartment from which he has been evicted. He wanders the downtown streets carrying a pain...( read more  read more... )ting he hopes to sell, encountering friends, whose lives (and performances) we peek into. He finally manages to sell his painting to a wealthy female admirer, but he's paid by check. Low on cash, he spends the evening wandering from club to club, looking for a beautiful girl he had met earlier, so he'll have a place to spend the night. Downtown 81 not only captures one of the most interesting and lively artists of the twentieth century as he is poised for fame, but it is a slice of life from one of the most exciting periods in American culture, with the emergence of new wave music, new painting, hip hop and graffiti.

Flixster Users

85% liked it

70 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

21 critics

R, 1 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Edo Bertoglio

Release Date: July 13, 2001

Invite friends to see

Stats: 10 reviews

Photos


None yet... Got one?

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (10)


  • January 17, 2009
    for a cult film this one shines right up there with "Liquid Sky"

Critic Reviews


Comments


This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Downtown 81" !

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Downtown 81 : Watch Free on TV


Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for Downtown 81. Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?