Mapplethorpe

source: Mapplethorpe

source: Mapplethorpe

While I had heard of Robert Mapplethorpe as a photographer of raw & sexual pictures; I knew nothing of his background. This movie filled in some of that. I was drawn into story by the strong performance of Matt Smith, who I only knew of from The Crown. He played the part excellently. He was Mapplethorpe to me as I watched. My other draw was John Benjamin-Hickey, whose work I've long admired. I'd seen him on Broadway in two shows, and met him after one. Always a strong performer. I like that the story moved quickly from Mapplethorpe's struggling artist days to the heights, then the lows, of fame, and eventual death. It is a movie that kept my interest throughout, so for that I gave it 8 stars!

After its end, not the short and impressive, provocative and admirable career of Robert Mapplethorpe remains in memory but the splendid performance of Matt Smith. A sensitive hommage, a trip across delicate subjects, a defining of art and a great and powerful message. Something more than a biographic film.