Watch Caravaggio

"Caravaggio" is a 1986 film that brings to life the story of the famous Baroque artist, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The movie is directed by Derek Jarman and stars Noam Almaz as Caravaggio, alongside Dexter Fletcher as the young thief and artist's model, and Nigel Terry as the wealthy and powerful Cardinal Del Monte, who becomes Caravaggio's patron.

The film explores Caravaggio's life and art through a non-linear narrative, as scenes from the artist's early years in Rome, his rise to fame, and his eventual downfall are interspersed with scenes from his later years. The movie jumps between different periods of Caravaggio's life, using his paintings as a way to explore his personal experiences, relationships, and struggles.

The movie begins with Caravaggio on his deathbed, recalling his life and work, and the many people who influenced and inspired him. From this point on, the film moves back and forth in time, exploring different aspects of the artist's life, including his relationship with his models, his conflicts with powerful figures, and his struggles with his own inner demons.

Throughout the film, the audience sees Caravaggio's art come to life, with scenes depicting the process of creating some of his most famous works, such as "The Entombment of Christ" and "The Crucifixion of Saint Peter". These scenes are interspersed with depictions of the artist's personal life, including his sexual relationships with both men and women and his battle with alcoholism.

One of the key themes of the film is the conflict between Caravaggio's artistic vision and the pressures of the powerful figures in his life, including his patrons, the Church, and the State. The artist's desire to create art that was "real" and "true" often brought him into conflict with the powerful people who controlled his life, making it difficult for him to earn a living and continue his work.

As the film progresses, the audience sees Caravaggio's descent into madness, as his drinking and temper lead him into conflicts with his patrons and eventually into exile. The final scenes of the film depict the artist's return to Rome, where he is imprisoned and ultimately dies under mysterious circumstances.

Overall, "Caravaggio" is a visually stunning film that brings to life the art and life of one of the most influential artists of the Baroque period. The performances of the lead actors are excellent, with Noam Almaz capturing the intensity and passion of the artist's work and life, and Dexter Fletcher and Nigel Terry providing strong support as Caravaggio's young lover and powerful patron, respectively.

While the non-linear narrative and use of Caravaggio's art to explore his life and experiences may be confusing for some viewers, the film is a powerful exploration of the tension between art and power that shaped Caravaggio's life and work. Anyone interested in the history of art, the Baroque period, or the life of Caravaggio himself will find much to enjoy in this film.

Caravaggio is a 1986 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 55.