Watch Art School Confidential
- R
- 2006
- 1 hr 42 min
-
6.3 (17,826)
Art School Confidential is a satirical comedy-drama film from 2006, directed by Terry Zwigoff and written by Daniel Clowes. It stars Max Minghella in the lead role of Jerome Platz, a young man who aspires to become a great artist and find success in the competitive and quirky world of art school. Jerome Platz is a newcomer to the Strathmore Institute, a prestigious art school in which he hopes to carve out his niche as a great artist. The school is populated by a colorful cast of characters, including models, teachers, fellow students, and eccentric artistes of every sort.
Jerome's dream of becoming a great artist falters when he realizes that the "cool" artist character he has created is not enough to get him noticed. He is forced to confront the reality of his own limitations, but just when he's about to give up, he falls in love with the beautiful Audrey (Sophia Myles), a fellow student who seems to appreciate his quirky, antisocial tendencies.
Unfortunately for Jerome, Audrey is also the object of affection for the school's most successful artist, Jonah (Matt Keeslar), whose crass, commercial work is lauded by the administration and wealthy patrons alike. Jerome has to deal with Jonah's taunts and the realization that his art might never be as successful as Jonah's, causing him to spiral into a severe bout of depression and self-doubt.
The story takes a darker turn when a serial killer starts targeting people associated with the school. The inept police, led by Detective Sandiford (John Malkovich), are unable to crack the case, and the school is thrown into a state of paranoia and chaos. Jerome and his friends start to suspect one another, fuelled by gossip and rumors that illustrate the viciousness that takes place in the art world, particularly when it's still in the uncertain stages of development.
The film contains a clever blend of comedy and drama, playing on the absurdity of the world of art school, while poking fun at the pretentiousness of the art world in general. The performances are excellent, particularly from Max Minghella, who does a great job of portraying Jerome's socially awkward and angsty character. Malkovich steals scenes with his portrayal of the bumbling detective, adding a great dose of comedy to the darker elements of the film.
Despite the film's humor and satire, it also makes a serious point about the difficult challenges faced by artists, particularly when it comes to balancing their creative impulses with the harsh realities of the commercial side of the industry. The film's themes ring true to anyone who has struggled to make a career out of their art, and it proves that the path to success and recognition is rarely easy.
Overall, Art School Confidential is a smart, witty, and entertaining film that balances funny moments with a thoughtful look at the world of aspiring artists. It's a must-see for anyone who has ever attended art school or tried to make a career out of their art.
Art School Confidential is a 2006 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 54.