New York Beat Movie (Downtown 81) (2000)
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71% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
70% of users liked it
(1,794 ratings)
Originally shot in 1980-81, this film, directed by Edo Bertoglio, is a rare real-life snapshot of ultra-hip subculture of post-punk era Manhattan. Starring renowned artist Jean Michel Basquiat (who died in 1988 at age 27) and featuring such early Village hipsters as Melle Mel, John Lurie, and Lydia… More Originally shot in 1980-81, this film, directed by Edo Bertoglio, is a rare real-life snapshot of ultra-hip subculture of post-punk era Manhattan. Starring renowned artist Jean Michel Basquiat (who died in 1988 at age 27) and featuring such early Village hipsters as Melle Mel, John Lurie, and Lydia Lunch, the film is a bizarre elliptical urban fairytale. The film opens with Jean (Basquiat) in the hospital with an undisclosed ailment. After checking out, he happens upon an enigmatic woman, Beatrice (Anna Schroeder), who drives around in a convertible. He arrives at his apartment only to discover that his landlord is evicting him. Later, while trying to sell his art work, he meets up with musician Arto Lindsay and his band DNA. Jean eventually does manage to sell some of his art work to a rich middle-aged woman who is interested in more than just his art, but she pays with a check. As the film progresses, he wanders the streets of New York, looking for Beatrice. He happens upon a bag lady (Debbie Harry) who turns into a princess when he kisses her. As a reward, she gives him a stack of cash. Abandoned in the mid-'80s due to financial problems, producer Maripol Fauque rediscovered the film and cleaned it up in 1999. It was screened at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- Directed By
- Edo Bertoglio
- Written By
- Glenn O'Brien
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 13, 2001 Limited
- Studio
- Zeitgeist
Critic Reviews
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Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
A fascinating if fragmented, dreamlike look at the downtown art-music-fashion scene of a yeasty, creative era.
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Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
A crudely poetic inventory of the people and places about to rock pop culture.
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Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
Performances by DNA and the Plastics alone are worth the price of admission.
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John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
Gives us a glimpse of the city as it was, suggesting that there was something revolutionary, even inspiring, about those days of not-so yore.
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Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz
It captures the youthful excitement of a burgeoning creative movement.
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)
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Cast
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Jean Michel Basquiat
as Jean
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Anna Schroeder
as Beatrice
- Marshall Chess
- Danny Rosen
- Walter Steding
- Lisa Rosen
- Cady Heron (Lohan) is a hit with The Plastics
- Steve Mass
- Saul Williams
- Deborah Harry
- Kid Creole & the Coconuts
- Tuxedomoon
- Fab Five Freddy
- August Darnell
- Debbie Harry
- John Lurie
- David McDermott
- Eszter Balint
- Vincent Gallo
