Surviving Picasso (1996)

You won't be disappointed!

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Another film found in a throwaway collection for me, so why add in this review? Because if you're a Merchant Ivory sumptuous depictions fan, to warn, I felt this one was a letdown: In the art of film, well, nice sun washed colours throughout - except at beginning introduced at the tail end of the second world war just before Picasso meets Gilot, which is the inspiration for the film - and plus a couple of nice crane shots, one in this context, at the beginning. But even here, having begun showing Picasso as more or less darling of the occupying German invaders, no follow up so as to make relevant why this might have been so of him: it merely serves to introduce his fourth major lover, on whom regular screenwriter collaborator, R.P. Jhabvala, has adapted Ariana Huffington's source novel - and that (presumably) on her - lover, F. Gilot's - memoirs: and that is where the major disappointment arises in that for such female sources and a foremost 'feminist' (Gilot) do her own thing, this storyline didn't give much - if any - insight into the female psyche as to how she (they*) truly felt inwardly about this granted, prodigiously talented ergo charming artist, yet, presumably, egotistical selfish brat, that Picasso must have been, yet held such mesmerising, demoniacal sway over her (and them all!*)Which then brings to A. Hopkins' 'portrait of an artist': unfortunately, he gives yet another of his 'I am Anthony Hopkins' - now Sir - so I can just act and deliver my lines in precisely the same way I as I do in virtually any film I have ever made' style …. other than the balding pate and the brown contact lenses, it's him - not in in the least convincing as Picasso, the genius and irresistible lover. In a word - or two - poor - and lazy. * his four other major lovers are cast to appear in the film, but to no understandable reason as to why he exerted such sway over them. Perhaps the best female character in this quite clearly supposedly 'female perspective' film, is the de facto (Grand) Mother-in-law, (Gliot's Grandmother) played by the ever superb and reliable Joan Plowright, but who sadly was just not given enough time in the screenplay / film. Overall, disappointing effort.

Pablo Picass-, Spanish painter. 1943 in Paris occupied by German troops in the whole world speaks English. How much illiteracy in America be if all movies, regardless of location or origin of the action characters are spoken in English? What are Americans, anyway? A lot of people of all nation, close to everywhere, most of them without school, without education. A brief history of the nation and without anything special. Generations do not know how to write or read, not many know that there is anything outside of America and English. And yet, the rest of humanity is always reported in America. Worryingly decadent. If any director even accidentally sees these lines, he may contact Mel Gibson on his congratulations on his films spoken in a language other than English.

Although not mentioned in the IMDb profile, this film was also based on artist Francoise Gilot's work entitled, "Life with Picasso". In an interview with Charlie Rose, Gilot emphasized that her book's title came from the French "vivre" meaning to live or life in general, rather than the possessive "My Life". In interview, Gilot likened herself to a camera taking in the life around them.Having said this, it must be understood that the screenplay was not written as a documentary on the artistic process, which is why it does not focus on the individual paintings or the techniques of Picasso, Gilot, Matisse or Braque, all of whom are noted masters of twentieth century art. Rather it is an important film for other reasons, as a character study as artist as a whole which a less insightful or sensitive observer might mistake for tedium or sentimentality. But even more significant is the film's revelation of the importance of autonomy and benevolence in the life of an artist.

Pablo Picasso portrayed by the only woman to have survived his narcissistic, manipulative, patronizing and womanizing tendencies and come out of the minotaur's labyrinth, his studio, before he shatters her. A great performance of the master painter and sculptor genius by Anthony Hopkins who is a master actor himself adequately next to his young co-stars. I am a great admirer of Picasso myself and I really appreciated all the research to fit every detail in its place to make this kind of biographical film. I'm very fond of the relationship Picasso had with Henry Matisse despite their differences and the competitiveness between them.