Surviving Picasso Movie Review 1996

Merchant-Ivory team takes time off from bodice-rippers to tear into the personal life of the Cubist legend, Pablo Picasso. Takes an unglamourous look at the mythically famous artist, focusing on the rocky ten-year affair with Francoise Gilot (newcomer McElhone), who met the artist in Nazi-occupied Paris when she was 22 and he was 62. Hopkins is well-cast as the insufferable senior and adds a strong dose of charm to soften his portrayal. Scores high tech credits, especially picture's sumptuous look, compliments of production designer and frequent collaborator Luciana Arrighi. Unfortunately adapted from the decidedly one-sided biography "Picasso: Creator and Destroyer" by controversial author Arianna Huffington. Denied use of the artist's works by his estate, the filmmakers settled for some "work in progress" replicas.

Distribution

Warner Home Video, Inc., 5775 Linder Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, URL: http://whv.warnerbros.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 126 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Biopics: Artists, Period Piece: 1940s, Art & Artists, Anti-Heroes, France, Producers: Merchant Ivory, World War II

Screenplay

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Cast

Anthony Hopkins, Natascha (Natasha) McElhone, Julianne Moore, Joss Ackland, Joan Plowright, Diane Venora, Peter Eyre, Jane Lapotaire, Joseph Maher, Bob Peck

Cinematography

Tony Pierce-Roberts

Director

James Ivory

Music

Richard Robbins

Producer

Ismail Merchant, David L. Wolper, Donald Rosenfeld, Paul Bradley, Merchant-Ivory Productions, Warner Bros.