X
  • 2001
  • Unrated
  • Metrograph Pictures
  • 1 h 13 m
  • 2001
  • Unrated
  • Metrograph Pictures
  • 1 h 13 m

Summary The re-issue of the 1981 film depicting a day in the life of the legendary American artist Jean Michel Basquiat (1960-1988). The cast includes Deborah Harry, and leading bands of the era including Kid Creole and the Coconuts, James White and the Blacks, DNA, Tuxedo Moon, the Plastics, and Walter Steding and the Dragon People. (Zeitgeis...

Directed By: Edo Bertoglio

Written By: Glenn O'Brien

  • 2001
  • Unrated
  • Metrograph Pictures
  • 1 h 13 m
  • 2001
  • Unrated
  • Metrograph Pictures
  • 1 h 13 m

Downtown 81

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 13 Critic Reviews
54
User Score Generally Unfavorable Based on 7 User Ratings
3.9
My Score
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Where to Watch

Summary The re-issue of the 1981 film depicting a day in the life of the legendary American artist Jean Michel Basquiat (1960-1988). The cast includes Deborah Harry, and leading bands of the era including Kid Creole and the Coconuts, James White and the Blacks, DNA, Tuxedo Moon, the Plastics, and Walter Steding and the Dragon People. (Zeitgeis...

Directed By: Edo Bertoglio

Written By: Glenn O'Brien

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 13 Critic Reviews
54
38% Positive
5 Reviews
46% Mixed
6 Reviews
15% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 13 Critic Reviews
54
38% Positive
5 Reviews
46% Mixed
6 Reviews
15% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
Poignant, funny, and proof of Basquiat's magic.
By Ernest Hardy FULL REVIEW
80
Extraordinary real-life snapshot of hip, arty, clubland Manhattan in the post-punk era.
FULL REVIEW
70
Doesn't dawdle and, despite some eye-rolling dialogue, is a generally amiable time-trip.
By J. Hoberman FULL REVIEW
58
Makes a great time capsule, a shot-on-the-streets glimpse into the texture of a bygone time, place and attitude, but a listless, lightweight odyssey.
By Sean Axmaker FULL REVIEW
50
As a piece of cinematic art, this meandering, shambolic film isn't much to speak of, but as a time capsule, it's priceless.
By Ken Fox FULL REVIEW
40
If you're a Basquiat fan, or were around in New York back then, you'll want to take a look. If not, this film has little to recommend.
By David Ehrenstein FULL REVIEW
37
Alternates between being amusingly pretentious and studiously dull.
By Elizabeth Weitzman FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Unfavorable Based on 7 User Ratings
3.9
29% Positive
2 Ratings
29% Mixed
2 Ratings
43% Negative
3 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Unfavorable Based on 7 User Ratings
3.9
29% Positive
2 Ratings
29% Mixed
2 Ratings
43% Negative
3 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company New York Beat Films
Release Date Jul 13, 2001
Duration 1 h 13 m
Rating Unrated
Genres
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Awards

Cannes Film Festival
• 2 Nominations
Bratislava International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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