Pollock

R

Released Sep 30, 2000

1 hr. 58 min.

Drama

List

80%

110 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In August of 1949, Life Magazine ran a banner headline that begged the question: "Jackson Pollock: Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?" The film is a look back into the life of an extraordinary man, a man who has fittingly been called "an artist dedicated to concealment, a celebrity who nobody knew." As he struggled with self-doubt, engaging in a lonely tug-of-war between needing to express himself and wanting to shut the world out, Pollock began a downward spiral.

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Critics Consensus

Though Pollock does not really allow audiences a glimpse of the painter as a person, it does powerfully depict the creative process. Harris throws himself into the role and turns in a compelling performance.

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Gareth v

Not a bad biopic. Shame it's pretty conventional, which is the opposite to how Pollock worked and lived.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/23

Full Review

Shioka O

I think this biopic project by actor Ed Harris is successful. Paid respect for the artist and his creative development. Maybe I would love to see more younger and beginning of his career. The ending is true but sad.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/25/22

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jona i

An interesting take on a real life story, with excellent performances

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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dave s

Whether you appreciate (or even understand, for that matter) the art of Jackson Pollock, Ed Harris' Pollock is an insightful look into the life of the iconic American painter. The film follows Pollock from his early days as an artist, detailing his journey through abstract expressionism into his drip period later in life. Harris is brilliant as the tortured artist, as is Marcia Gay Harden as his long-time partner and fellow artist Lee Krasner. What makes the film so special, however, is Harris' subdued and restrained directorial style. Instead of mirroring the often frantic and mercurial behavior of the protagonist with quick cuts, Harris allows the camera to observe the artist in both social interactions and the creative process with long, uninterrupted takes. The film provides remarkable insight into a truly intriguing character.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great movie that Ed Harris stars in and directed. I knew very little about Jackson Pollock before watching this movie, but came away with a great desire to learn even more about this great American artist. Ed Harris got a well deserved Oscar Nomination as Jackson Pollock (He lost to Russell Crowe - Gladiator). He probably got robbed because this is his best performance to date. Marcia Gay Harden is amazing as Lee Krasner (Wife and Fellow artist to Pollock). She won the Best Supporting Actress for this role. The supporting cast is great as well. Ed Harris really poured a lot of his life into getting this movie made and did a great job!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

steve d

The performances are strong enough that even those with no interest in Pollock himself will be engaged.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Ed Harris

Director

Ed Harris

Jackson Pollock

Marcia Gay Harden

Lee Krasner

Amy Madigan

Peggy Guggenheim

Jennifer Connelly

Ruth Klingman

Jeffrey Tambor

Clement Greenberg

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

For better and worse, Pollock is an Action Painterly picture, an ambitious work of ambiguous surfaces.

Jun 18, 2012

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Wonderful movie, but for adults and older teens.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 27, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Mar 2, 2003

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Like too many other like-minded films, it assumes that a historical figure’s insufferable behavior automatically makes him or her a fascinating movie character. But there’s no faulting the performances.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 26, 2023

Full Review

John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

a plodding glimpse of the latter part of Jackson Pollock's life

Rated: D+

Apr 25, 2013

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

In the same way a tap dancer innately understands the percolating syncopation of all jazz music, Ed Harris identifies character rhythms and physical possibilities in drama.

Rated: A

Apr 19, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

In August of 1949, Life Magazine ran a banner headline that begged the question: "Jackson Pollock: Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?" The film is a look back into the life of an extraordinary man, a man who has fittingly been called "an artist dedicated to concealment, a celebrity who nobody knew." As he struggled with self-doubt, engaging in a lonely tug-of-war between needing to express himself and wanting to shut the world out, Pollock began a downward spiral.

Director: Ed Harris
Executive Producer: Joseph Allen, Peter Brant
Screenwriter: Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith, Barbara Turner, Susan Emshwiller
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Fred Berner Films, Brant-Allen, Zeke Productions, Pollock Films
Rating: R (Language|Brief Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 30, 2000, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.6M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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