High Art (1998)

Director:

Lisa Cholodenko

Writer:

Lisa Cholodenko (writer)

Release Date:

12 June 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

a story of ambition, sacrifice, seduction and other career moves.

Plot:

A young female intern at a small magazine company becomes involved with a drug-addicted lesbian photographer, both of whom seek to exploit each other for their respective careers, while slowly falling in love with each other.

Plot Keywords:

Magazine | Photographer | Assistant Editor | Lesbian | Drugs

Awards:

7 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Radha Mitchell	...	Syd
Gabriel Mann	...	James
Charis Michelsen	...	Debby
David Thornton	...	Harry
Anh Duong	...	Dominique
Ally Sheedy	...	Lucy Berliner
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

Also Known As:

L'art interdit (Canada: French title) (TV title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality, pervasive drug use and language.

Runtime:

101 min | Colombia:87 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Australia:MA | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | New Zealand:R18 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

391 Productions

Trivia:

The character of Lucy Berliner (Ally Sheedy) was based on Nan Goldin's life and work.

Quotes:

Lucy's mother: Is it the German?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter (2001)

Soundtrack:

Cracktub

Finally, a decent lesbian-themed movie!

After the trash of the past twenty or so years -- titles withheld to protect the incompetent -- someone finally makes a movie with a lesbian love angle that not only works, but shines. An exquisite performance by Ally Sheedy highlights this haunting study of a woman and the culture which ensnares her. A solid plot, likable -- if not perfect -- characters give flesh and blood to this dark character study. Added kudos to Patricia Clarkson; she took a character who tread the fine line between sympathetic and just plain pathetic and made Greta a complex, but not confusing nor inconsistent, woman. Well done, all around!