Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  This was a real labor of love for Ed Harris, who made his directorial debut and takes the lead as the title character. What we get is a semi-standard biopic about renowned American abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock who revolutionized the art world in the 1940s, but was… More
  This was a real labor of love for Ed Harris, who made his directorial debut and takes the lead as the title character. What we get is a semi-standard biopic about renowned American abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock who revolutionized the art world in the 1940s, but was undone by his crippling mood swings, temperament, and penchant for booze...and ladies to a lesser extent. Harris is really good and quite compelling in the title role, and there's a sense of legitimacy to the scenes where he is seen painting, especially since Harris learned to paint. He's backed by a solid supporting cast including Marcia Gay Harden in an Oscar winning turn as Pollock's wife and fellow artist Lee Krasner. She pretty much walks away with the film. There's also Amy Madigan as Peggy Guggenheim, Val Kilmer as artist and friend Willem de Kooning, and a late in the game appearance by Jennifer Connelly as Pollock's mistress Ruth Kligman. The film is pretty good, but, like a lot of biopics, suffers from the fact that the subject isn't quite as fascinating as the work they make. Don't get me wrong, Pollock was a very fascinating individual, but the film really doesn't try to deeply probe into his mind, instead just barely getting under the surface a lot of the time. That's okay though, because it is somewhat enjoyable to see him freak out, get drunk, and be a tormented genius. The scenes where he's painting are well done ,and quite evocative, and I dug the music too. I also enjoyed how they tried to bring about authenticity by actually filming on the real Pollock/Krasner estate. The film is fairly by the numbers, but it does a good job at detailing the life and times of this lauded/troubled man. For a directorial debut, it's rather ambitious. Despite its faults, I still liked it, and think you should check it out.

• Dan S

  
  A unique, well-directed and acted biopic concerning the troubled artist Jackson Pollock (Ed Harris), his relationship with his wife (Marcia Gay Harden), and how his internal demons cut a brilliant career short. While in some ways it is predictable, including a disturbing final act,… More
  A unique, well-directed and acted biopic concerning the troubled artist Jackson Pollock (Ed Harris), his relationship with his wife (Marcia Gay Harden), and how his internal demons cut a brilliant career short. While in some ways it is predictable, including a disturbing final act, the film contains a hypnotic quality about it thanks to an insanely possessed Harris, who is just splendid and you can tell he is very passionate about this particular person. The movie does have a tendency to drift into self-indulgence, especially in it's latter half, but Harris' portrayal remains tenacious and magnetic despite all the problems this movie possesses. We never get to go inside the head of Pollock too much, and this is definitely bothersome, but maybe that's how Harris wants it to be. The ending ends on quite a harsh, rushed note that feels forced, which detracts from one's overall impression of it. Nonetheless, one of the most underappreciated actors ever in Ed Harris is able to flex his creative prowess and go to work, and that alone earns the film a recommendation.

• Jeff "

  
  Flawed, but interesting biopic of Jackson Pollock. Pollock, brilliantly played by Ed Harris is an eccentric abstract painter who revolutionized the art form. His art was simple, avant-garde and revolutionary. Ed Harris delivers a great performance here, and the cast starring opposite… More
  Flawed, but interesting biopic of Jackson Pollock. Pollock, brilliantly played by Ed Harris is an eccentric abstract painter who revolutionized the art form. His art was simple, avant-garde and revolutionary. Ed Harris delivers a great performance here, and the cast starring opposite him are great here as well. The film could have been done better, and leaves you wanting more, but for what it is, the film does a good job at showing us more of the man that made an impact on Abstract art. This is a good feature debut by actor and director Ed Harris. Harris makes the character his own, and he delivers one of his best performances. I thought that the film was well constructed and had an engaging plot. The cast deliver in their respective parts, and it's what makes Pollock a worthy Biopic to watch. Even with its flaws, this is still a good film that presents the turmoiled life of one of America's artists. Pollock may not appeal to everyone, but to those who enjoy biopics, this is a film worth checking out. The performance by Ed Harris alone makes this film worth watching. This film has a good story, good acting and good directing, what more could you want? Pollock is an entertaining two hours and it showcases Jackson Pollock's turmoil perfectly. Not a great film, but still pretty good for what it is.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"A True Portrait of Life and Art."</i> A film about the life and career of the American painter, Jackson Pollock. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center>… More
  <i>"A True Portrait of Life and Art."</i> A film about the life and career of the American painter, Jackson Pollock. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> Ed Harris shows what a truly great talent he is, both as an actor and director. Regardless of whether your a fan of Pollock or not or whether you agree with the "disturbed" artist syndrome, this film is a tour de force in filmmaking. Excellent script fueled by gutsy performances. Marcia Gay Harden shows once again what a valuable commodity she is an actress and Ed Harris takes chance few would risk. Those are the two that should be up for Oscars and SAG awards. Great to see Jennifer Connelly, getting more gorgeous with age, and some great cameos. Hats off to Lisa Rintzler for a beautifully photographed film, on 16mm no less, that looks better then most 35mm productions. You want to see Ed Harris and Marcia Harden really act with some great material? This is it, don't miss it if your a fan of either.

• Tim S

  
  Great bio-film with an amazing performance from Ed Harris. I have always been a fan of his work, which is why I sought out this movie. Jackson Pollock was also always interesting to me and I like his artwork. The best part to me was watching the actual painting process and to think… More
  Great bio-film with an amazing performance from Ed Harris. I have always been a fan of his work, which is why I sought out this movie. Jackson Pollock was also always interesting to me and I like his artwork. The best part to me was watching the actual painting process and to think that Harris took the time to mimic the style of how he was painting these canvases was impressive. I also liked the way the film was shot and thought the rest of the cast was filled out nicely, but the movie belongs to Harris.

• Mark H

  
  Curiously uninvolving biography of the revolutionary American painter. Does not delve deeply enough into the man. Instead we get standard snapshots of the life of a troubled artist. He is difficult, demanding, and alcoholic, everything we expect an artist to be. Marcia Gay Harden,… More
  Curiously uninvolving biography of the revolutionary American painter. Does not delve deeply enough into the man. Instead we get standard snapshots of the life of a troubled artist. He is difficult, demanding, and alcoholic, everything we expect an artist to be. Marcia Gay Harden, however, is memorable as Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife and influential painter in her own right. Her character gives the movie much needed structure and dramatic heft.

• Byron B

  
  I worked backstage on the stage play Red, about Mark Rothko, in spring '12. That play compares Rothko and Pollock to Nietzsche's analysis of Apollo and Dionysus, respectively. This movie does not include Rothko as a character, but a couple other artist friends do appear,… More
  I worked backstage on the stage play Red, about Mark Rothko, in spring '12. That play compares Rothko and Pollock to Nietzsche's analysis of Apollo and Dionysus, respectively. This movie does not include Rothko as a character, but a couple other artist friends do appear, including DeKooning (Kilmer). To me it is interesting watching Pollock move through a series of paint styles until he happens upon the splattered look for which he would become famous. The many scenes in which Ed Harris as Jackson Pollock is actually painting are enthralling. Harris plays the alcoholic lows and the successful highs wonderfully. Marcia Gay Harden as Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife, is stunning in her delivery and character embodiment. The supporting cast, including Cort, Madigan, Kilmer and Tambor, also lend a great deal to the picture. Jennifer Connelly appears only briefly near the end, but I was less than impressed with her performance. Pollock in this film chases freedom and serenity, but those two things are so difficult for him to achieve. The artist's life is not a stable and peaceful one.

• Marcus W

  
  This film suffers from the same thing that all biopics do: artists are not as interesting as the art they produce, hence the very reason they produce art. Thankfully, Harris seems aware of this as he keeps the pacing tight and delivers a mesmerising performance as the tortured artist,… More
  This film suffers from the same thing that all biopics do: artists are not as interesting as the art they produce, hence the very reason they produce art. Thankfully, Harris seems aware of this as he keeps the pacing tight and delivers a mesmerising performance as the tortured artist, with strong support from Harden. Worth watching.

• Anastasia B

  
  Stellar direction and painstaking attention to detail by Ed Harris whose passion, focus and stamina is amazing. It's been a marathon to complete this film, you can tell. One of the most memorable portraits of an artist you'll ever come across.

• Dimitris S

  
  A picture about a stubborn painter enthralling his instincts,stabilizing the family mess.Pollock's peers,wife,everyone cared for the mental disease.Harris reserving the part for him and only is orgiastic (I suppose so,look at Braveheart-Gibson,what did HE have to portray William… More
  A picture about a stubborn painter enthralling his instincts,stabilizing the family mess.Pollock's peers,wife,everyone cared for the mental disease.Harris reserving the part for him and only is orgiastic (I suppose so,look at Braveheart-Gibson,what did HE have to portray William Wallace?),bravo to the artistic effort,and the sublime acting.

• Moe E

  
  Having been raised in a home with an appreciation for fine art and being a big fan of Ed Harris' work wasn't enough to keep me from falling asleep 2/3 of the way through this film. The pacing is a bit slow, combined with my struggles with a flu bug, I just couldn't keep… More
  Having been raised in a home with an appreciation for fine art and being a big fan of Ed Harris' work wasn't enough to keep me from falling asleep 2/3 of the way through this film. The pacing is a bit slow, combined with my struggles with a flu bug, I just couldn't keep my eyes open. I would be willing to give it another chance, though.

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