Jackson Pollock (1912 – 1956) was popular modernists and inspired many artists, although he was a person who struggled to establish himself in the society and struggling with alcohol addiction continuously fighting with his inner devils. Page 1 the movie “Pollock” was directed by Ed Harris, It is a powerful biographical film which displays the life of the painter. The paper will discuss the movie “Pollock” in detail discussing the plot, the actors involved and other essential things associated with the movie. (Fitzgerald 1).
The film captures the period of the forties and fifties in the city of New York when names like Peggy Guggenheim (played by Amy Madigan) dominated the art world and also established herself as Pollock’s legal agent handling all dealings and benefits. Guhhenheim’s art scout Howard Putzel is played by old Harold and Maude Star Bud Cort. The movie “Pollock” starts with Jackson Pollock (played by Ed Harris) working in the art exhibit which made him famous (Helmore 2001).The story travels back to the year 1941 when Pollock meets artist Lee Krasner (played by Marcia Gay Harnden) women who loved him and married him, not only this she in spite of knowing the unpredictable nature of Pollock supported his career instead of fostering her own.
During this time Pollock was majorly into drinking and earned a little amount by painting occasionally. Surrounded by conflicts and low feelings Jackson drowns himself in liquor. In order to bring Pollock out of his alcohol addiction Krasner suggests Pollock to settle somewhere else where change of place with beautiful scenic beauty might help Pollock to resist alcohol. They decided to move the countryside; at first it seemed to help Pollock. It was at this house that he during a painting session that he discovered a new painting style by dripping the paint on the canvas making some incredible designs while walking around (Pollock 2004). The new breakthrough helped Pollock reach the ladder of success, but alcohol, pulled him back into the murky waters of downfall. He had several affairs and kept justifying it in the context of Krasner not having his baby. Pollock kills himself and his female friend in a car accident at the end.
The possible lessons one can learn from the movie are that addiction is something which can add to the miseries and woes of a person, and it takes a lot to come out of any addiction be it alcohol of drugs. The story also tells how fate can bring unexpected things in life, from failure to success and vice versa. One should be aware enough to accept one’s weaknesses and determined to work on them to bring change and that is how better and happy life can be lived. The movie creates a feeling of nostalgia and comes across as a warning telling about how a person with the addiction can ruin his life, making it a strong reason for me to like the movie.
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, Cassandra. "The Life of Jackson Pollock and his Influence on Modern." Iowa 1.1 (n.d.): 1-10. Print
Helmore, Edward. "The ultimate splasher movie." theguardian. 2001. Web. 6 May. 2016.
"Pollock." imdb. 2004. Web. 6 May. 2016.
