It’s in the quieter, more character-based scenes that the film at least begins to penetrate Basquiat’s mystique, homing in on his vulnerability, sense of wonder, and how he sees the world around him.

| Apr 25, 2025

Despite all the loving care, there's a slight lack of power in the presentation, which is surprisingly straightforward, except for some heavy-handed attempts at lyricism.

| Jun 7, 2022

Basquiat pulls back the veil on a man gifted with artistic genius, and the inherent insecurity that talent brings. If a genius brain burns white-hot, how can said genius ever not get burned?

| Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 20, 2022

The film is an elementary illustration of a life with suicidal overtones, but reduced by [director Julian] Schnabel to a sort of kind, lyrical and almost sweet homemade tale. [Full review in Spanish]

| Apr 4, 2018

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 7, 2011

Modest effort to illuminate the turbulent life of the New York artist.

| Original Score: B- | May 5, 2011

There isn't a boring shot anywhere, and writer-director Schnabel is clearly enjoying himself as he plays with expressionist sound, neo-Eisensteinian edits, and all sorts of other filmic ideas.

| Mar 31, 2010

Schnabel made his film about Basquiat, which carries its own validation. He's also made something of a work of art in its own right.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 30, 2009

The character on the screen (played by Jeffrey Wright)... is nothing more than a surface.

| Dec 14, 2007

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 1, 2007

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 19, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 7, 2005

Wright is brilliant.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 16, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Jan 22, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 10, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 20, 2003

A stylish and interesting look at a moment in New York City's art world where everyone stopped to look at one person, who never seemd to quite fit.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 29, 2003

By the end of Basquiat, there are even fewer answers than when we started.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 5, 2002

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 12, 2002

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 28, 2002