High Art Syd, a newly appointed assistant editor of Frame magazine, discovers that the woman living above her flat is none other than the talented yet enigmatic photographer Lucy Berliner. When the two of them meet, Syd gets acquainted with both Lucy's past work and her circle of flegmatic, junkie friends. Seeing a definite career opportunity, Syd encourages Lucy to shoot new pictures for her magazine. At the same time, a strong attraction starts to develop between them. As the photo assignment continues, both Syd and Lucy are forced to examine their own lives and loves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MPAA: Rated R (strong sexuality, pervasive drug use and language.)
Runtime: 101 min / Colombia:87 min
Country: USA / Canada - 1998
Language: English

Directed/Written by:
Lisa Cholodenko

Cast Overview:
Radha Mitchell .... Syd
Gabriel Mann .... James
Charis Michaelson .... Debby (as Charis Michelsen)
David Thornton (I) .... Harry
Anh Duong .... Dominique
Ally Sheedy .... Lucy
Patricia Clarkson .... Greta
Helen Mendes .... White Hawk
Bill Sage .... Arnie
Tammy Grimes .... Vera
Cindra Feuer .... Delia
Anthony Ruivivar .... Xander
Elaine Tse .... Zoe
Rudolf Martin .... Dieter
Laura Ekstrand .... Waitress

We wish to thank the Internet Movie Database for providing the Cast Overview.

Movie Reviews/Interviews:
Curve Magazine - Interview with Ally Sheedy

Our Take:
On one hand we absolutely loved the talented actresses and the angst & intimacy between the characters Syd & Lucy. On the other hand, we felt the whole heroine-junkie environment was a bit depressing and sad. If you find this desperate, drug-addicted lifestyle difficult to watch, you may not enjoy this film.

Lisa Cholodenko wrote & directed High Art in 1998. Her recent well known work is accredited to the (2001-2002) HBO TV series, Six Feet Under.

This movie concept reminds us of Gia, as far as the "once highly successful-turned-drug addicted failure" theme goes. We loved Angelina Jolie, but the whole "throwing life away for a daily fix" concept just destroys the beautiful lesbian experiences portrayed in both High Art and Gia. We are not against a little gratuitous drug use, occasional violence nor the whole film noir genre. We try to endorse movies that empower our lifestyles. We seek out women-produced works.

There are many lesbian/bi themed movies out there. Violence, heavy drug use and total dysfunction that portray our lifestyle preferences as a degrading one, sends a conflicting message to the social masses who don't otherwise understand our life preferences. Both Gia and Bound* were painful stretches of an accurate portrayal of functional lesbian relationships - and- both movies were written & produced by men.

* Did you know that Bound was written/directed (1996) by the Wachowski brothers? This movie was Andy & Larry Wachowski's portfolio proof to investors that they could do a quality movie on a budget. It worked. It was a hit and they were given the much sought-after funding they needed to produce The Matrix (1999), and consequently, The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003).

Screen shots we liked:..... Seduction... Intimacy... Reflection... Playful Romp

We found this movie moving, entertaining, but sad & depressing.
Ally Sheedy was superb in her role as Lucy Berlinger.
Radha Mitchell, as Syd, was beautifully acted as well.

Buy this movie on VHS

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