Art School Confidential (2006)reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
Starting from childhood attempts at illustration, an aspiring artist named Jerome, played by Max Minghella (Syriana), pursues his true obsession to the Strathmore Institute or Art. As he learns how the art world really works, he falls for a model named Audrey, played by Sophia Myles (Tristen+Isolde), and struggles to define his style. Meanwhile, his filmmaking roommate Vince, played by Ethan Suplee (American History X), struggles to create a docudrama about a local serial strangler claiming victims close to campus. The best thing about this movie is that it's different. It's a very original concept with a fairly original inner conflict of the main character. The film tells a good story about how an artist has to be emotionally tortured and miserable to produce meaningful and marketable work. Unfortunately, even though it had a few pretty good laughs, the picture--its script I should say--had room to be funnier. As it stands, it had many unessential scenes of life in art school and Jerome's angst for Sophia. It also attempted to make an undercover cop character develop inner conflict as he discovers he may have talent as an artist himself. Generally speaking, the picture got slow in spots. Overall, I thought the picture was pretty decent, but I wouldn't pay money to see it in cinemas. It's a nice quirky little indie film which would make a nice movie night in for some young couples. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
It seems this year so far (June 12, 2006), if you want to see originality in your movies, you have to go independent to get it. "Art School Confidential" is the latest evidence to this.