Pollock | 
| Actors: Tom Bower, Jennifer Connelly, Bud Cort, Annabelle Gurwitch, Eulala Grace Harden
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.94
Buy Used: $4.44
You Save: $10.50 (70%)
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Rating:  109 reviews
Sales Rank: 10366
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 99
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 122 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: COLD06454D
ISBN: 0767867068
UPC: 043396064546
EAN: 9780767867061
ASIN: B00005KHJJ
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Release Date: July 24, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
TRACES THE TURBULENT LIFE OF THE WELL KNOWN ARTIST JACKSON POLLOCK. ALTHOUGH HIS WIFE, LEE KRASNER, IS DEDICATED TO CARVING POLLOCK'S NAME INTO ART HISTORY. POLLOCK FINDS HIMSELF IN A DOWNWARD SPIRAL THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY NOT ONLY HIS MARRIAGE AND PROMISING CAREER BUT PERHAPS EVEN HIS LIFE.
Amazon.com
The long road to Pollock began when actor Ed Harris received a biography of Jackson Pollock from his father, who noticed that his son bore an uncanny resemblance to the artist. Harris's fascination with Pollock matched his physical similarity; the actor chose to direct and star in this impressive film biography. And his devotion assured a work of singular integrity, honoring the artist's achievement in abstract expressionism while acknowledging that Pollock was a tormented, manic-depressive alcoholic whose death at 44 (in a possibly suicidal car crash) also claimed the life of an innocent woman. The film also suggests that Pollock's success was largely attributable to the devotion of his wife, artist Lee Krasner, played with matching ferocity by Marcia Gay Harden in an Oscar -winning performance. In many respects a traditional biopic, Pollock begins in 1941 when Pollock meets Krasner, who encourages him and attracts the attention of supportive critic Clement Greenberg (Jeffrey Tambor) and benefactor Peggy Guggenheim (Amy Madigan). As Pollock rises from obscurity to international acclaim, Harris brings careful balance to his portrayal of a driven creator who found peace during those brief, sober periods when art brought release from his tenacious inner demons. The film offers sympathy without sentiment, appreciation without misguided hagiography. As an acting showcase it's utterly captivating. As a compassionate but unflinching exploration of Jackson Pollock's intimate world, there's no doubt that Harris captured the essence of a man whose life was as torturous as his art was redeeming. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 104 more reviews...
 Painting a World May 13, 2009
Amaranth (Northern California)
"Pollock" is an underrated masterpiece by actor/director Ed Harris. It is a mesmerizing portrayal of the 20th century's most polarizing artists. Whether you enjoy or dislike Pollock's paintings, this movie is quite moving. Ed Harris studied the character of Pollock deeply--the rough Wyoming artist who hit it big in New York City. He shows Pollock in all his aspects--from an admirable artist to a violent alcoholic to an overweight womanizer. Marcia Gay Harden is equally great as Pollock's pained wife, Lee Krasner.
"Pollock" is not only historically accurate, but authentic when dealing with the characters' emotional struggles. Pollock is not without his faults--alcoholism among them. Harris' real-life wife, Amy Madigan, stars as socialite Peggy Guggenheim, and Val Kilmer stars as Willem De Kooning. Jennifer Connelly appears later as Pollock's much younger mistress, who supplants Krasner in Pollock's passions.
"Pollock" is an artful work, painting on the big screen!
Good Portrait Of A Great Artist & Lousy Person April 10, 2009
Craig Connell (Lockport, NY USA)
Jackson Pollock was not a likable person. He was an alcoholic, an adulterer, an egotist and simply a plain jerk. He also was a pioneer in the field of modern art, so he became famous and hence, even had this movie about his life. I found it very interesting.
Ed Harris was a good choice for the role. Harris, who looks like Pollock, did a fine job of portraying this "tormented" soul, a word critics love to use for famous artists (see Van Gogh).
****possible spoiler**** This movie actually inspired me to become an artist and I did a handful of Pollock imitations, several of which actually sold for a decent price. I love Pollock's work, and I enjoy character studies of people on film, but this gets a little sordid as the film goes on with a definitely-unhappy ending.
Hat's off to Marcia Gay Harden for her performance as Pollock's wife. She has the New York City accent down pat. She is shown worshiping her husband and it's painful to see her get hurt.
The story is a bit soap operish but if you enjoy art, and especially Pollock's work, you'll find this story fascinating.
EXCELLENT film! Could watch it over and over!!! March 2, 2009
L. Stevens (Hollywood, CA)
I don't know what the reviewer "Gordon Larko" is smoking. For some reason, he feels compelled to leave the EXACT SAME horrible review and 1 STAR rating for all GAY-THEMED movies. Probably a "personal problem" of his. Hopefully this review will help correct this imbalance. I can't believe AMAZON is allowing this GAY BASHER to use their website as a venue to spread his hate.
By the way, This is an absolutely WONDERFUL movie!
HARRIS IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT IN POLLOCK February 8, 2009
Geary A., Jones
Ed Harris was wonderful behind, and in front of the camera in this riveting portrait of a troubled, though incredibly gifted artist, and Marcia Gay Hardin is pitch-perfect as Pollock's wife Lee Krasner. It's nice to see a biographical film that doesn't sugar-coat its subject. If happy endings, and lollipop romances are your thing, you won't like this. POLLOCK has an almost surgical intensity to it, and the characters are full of hard edges, moodiness, and, or depression. Harris, along with his stellar cast, captures both the beauty, and ugliness of the abstract expressionist, and his circle. A great film, and a great film about art.
 A decent film that feels almost unnecessary... November 13, 2008
Andrew Ellington (Mulholland Drive)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have made it pretty clear that I am a huge fan of the biopic. I love films depicting real life heroes and villains because their stories are presented in such a captivating and raw way. It's just a thrill to see that fact is far more interesting than fiction.
Sometimes.
The problem I have with `Pollock' is that it is not presented in that way; not at all. Sure, it has its interesting moments, and the acting is commanding to an extent, but nothing in `Pollock' feels necessary. The fact remains that by the time the credits have begun to roll you have forgotten entirely what made Jackson Pollock's life so important in the first place.
What was the point in telling his story?
See, here is my thing. In order for the said biopic to be worth its weight it has to feel like it has a reason to be told. Is their story inspirational, tragic, prophetic, educational; does it present the audience with a clear cut reason to be intrigued? I recently made a similar criticism on the movie `Bird' which I felt failed to convince us as to the reason Charley Parker's life was so `interesting'. I have the same thing to say about `Pollock'. Yes, he was a tormented artist who was possibly bi-polar and was definitely an alcoholic, but honestly, so aren't half of every other artist, musician or actor out there today and of yesteryear.
What makes Jackson Pollock so special?
I'm still waiting for the answer.
Like `Bird', `Pollock' also suffers from spurts of confusion within its storyline, but it is no where near as all over the place as Eastwood's insanely ridiculous direction. Ed Harris has a deep passion for his character and his film, and while it doesn't all seem to jive he does at least work hard to present it in a way that is, for the most part, understandable. The film also has a nice feel and flow to it. I was never bored, I will admit that. I wanted to follow the film, I wanted to keep watching. The acting was also quite good. Harris and Harden were both excellent. I don't know if I would go as far as to say they were Oscar worthy (nomination worthy, maybe, but win worthy, no) but I was impressed and excited to watch them.
In the end my biggest complaint is that the reasons for Harris's passion for Pollock are not made clear to us. We know that he is obsessed with this man and his work and telling his story, but why? Why was he so interesting? Why did his story need to be told? At least with movies like `Walk the Line' and `Cinderella Man' we are presented with a reason to admire or at least be engaged in these men (they overcame adversity, they worked to clean up their lives, they inspired millions, yada yada) and I'm not saying that just because a life ends tragically does not mean that their story is not worth telling (films like `Boys Don't Cry' or `Monster' cover that department and offer characters with little moral values) but what is always important to remember is that the audience has to feel a reason to watch, and `Pollock' doesn't provide us with that reason.
I don't feel that I learn anything from Jackson Pollock or that I gain anything from watching this film, and that is sad because I'm sure there is much to be gathered from the man. Ed Harris surely feels that way. I just wish I knew why.
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