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by Stephen R. Lang
 Getting
up and going to school in
Providence,
RI was interesting to say the least. Due to parking enforcement issues
and availability, I opted to take the cheaper, scenic route. I parked
about two miles away from where I needed to be in a local shopping
mall. As I would walk down the cobblestone sidewalks of Benefit Street
I would undoubtedly come across some RISD [Rhode Island School of
Design] student doing some class project. I have seen the wide variety
of talents all in the name of art.
Art School:
Confidential
is a movie tracking the life of one young and talented artist, Jerome,
[Max Minghella] who struggles from early childhood with his ability to
draw and being an outcast. During a Career Day presentation, while some
are: Doctors, Lawyers, and Indian Chiefs—he’s in a black and white
stripped shirt, portraying his idol, Pablo Picasso. All he wants to be
is The Greatest Artist of the 21st Century. Nothing big
right?
Cut to Senior year high school, still being harassed—only now it’s to do
their homework, to which the teachers think they have promise.
His dream now is to go to Strathmore College and hone in on his artistic
talents, it also helps that in the brochure is the woman of his dreams.
While at Strathmore, he befriends a classmate, Bardo [Joel Moore] who
guides and unsuccessfully mentors young Jerome in what girls to go after
and what categories people fit into, very much Mean Girls. You
will see the: Hippie Vegan, Hyper Sensitive Female, Suburban Stuffed
Animal Collector, Creative Genius—Let’s Make ART Chic, angry Lesbian,
the Kiss Ass, and many more. Jerome’s roommates are something to talk
about too. One is a disgruntled Film student and the other is a
closeted Fashion major. In his drawing class, there are nude models,
and one turns out to be the woman of his dreams. Audrey, played by
Sophia Myles is a Kate Winslett-esque girl who really needs little to no
makeup and jewelry—she’s just pretty.
 As
they progress and get to know each other, Jerome’s work containing
Audrey’s image is increasing. She is his muse but she has fallen for
the stereotypical jock guy Jonah [Matt Keesler] and everyone has
fallen for his style of art. As they are reminded, one out of every
hundred students actually make a living out of being an artist, and the
constant attention to Jonah’s non-work, Jerome starts going crazy. Now,
his Film major roommate, Vince [Ethan Suplee] is doing his final project
on the unfolding Student Strangler, which is a subplot to the movie.
You will see: John Malkovich as the professor who’s struggling himself,
Angelica Huston as the bitter What is Art? Teacher, Steve Buscemi
as the Art Restaurant owner Broadway Bob, and people familiar with
The L Word can see Shane [Katherine Moennig] as Candace who happens
to be Audrey’s ex-girlfriend and disgruntled up and coming artist.
What I loved most about this movie was the questions: What is art? Is
death art? Are you In the Box or Out of the Box? Is not doing works a
crime against society? Next, are the intellectual debates defining and
dignifying Jonah’s work. You will laugh at how far these people will go
to prove and identify themselves. Self Portrait day is hysterical
justification of crap—which look like it took two minutes to do with
crayons. Everything represents something. Yes, you can
overanalyze art, and this movie makes fun of that fact. If you can
laugh, enjoy art and the creative processes, then go see this movie.
Movie stills courtesy of www.imdb.com.
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