Surviving Picasso

March 15, 2008 | By Doug In picasso |

Surviving Picasso
After their brilliant collaborations on Howards End and The Remains of the Day, director James Ivory and Anthony Hopkins reunited (along with producer Ismail Merchant and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala) for this controversial film about the life and loves of the great artist Pablo Picasso. Hopkins is outstanding in the title role, portraying Picasso as a brilliant, manipulative egotist who used his power over women to fuel his artistic impulse and voracious sexual appetite.

But Surviving Picasso is not intended to be a screen biography and, as many critics noted in mixed reviews, this 1996 film fails to provide any substantial insight into Picasso’s complex personality. It’s more about Fran?oise Gilot (Natascha McElhone), the aspiring artist who was one of the few women to “survive” Picasso’s love and emerge as a stronger, more confident person with a life of her own outside of Picasso’s often destructive sphere of influence. McElhone is impressive in this breakthrough role, conveying the seductive effect Picasso had on women, but also holding her own against the artist’s unpredictable temperament.

Surviving Picasso was based on the unflattering book Picasso: Creator and Destroyer by Arianna Huffington, so the Merchant-Ivory team did not have the cooperation of Picasso’s estate. The result is a film that shifts its focus away from the artist and onto his positive and negative effect on those who entered his inner circle. It’s a fascinating portrait of a fascinating man and his equally passionate lovers, fueled by excellent performances. Even though you know you’re not getting the whole story of Picasso’s best and worst behavior, the movie grabs and holds your attention. –Jeff Shannon

Customer Review: Excellent movie needs a DVD version!
I have looked for this movie for years to come on DVD…but alas it hasn’t happened yet. This movie, which is based on a book, truly shows what it was like to have to live (or ’survive’ as you will) with someone who is egocentric and artistic. I don’t understand why people wanted this movie to explain Picasso as a person…the title tell you its about someone who SURVIVED Picasso. This man didn’t want to be understood. He didn’t care about that so appreciate this movie for what it is, a great example of how someone can almost be ’swallowed’ whole by another larger than life figure but who is able to transcend all that and stand on their own in the end. This movie has so many great aspects to it outside of the acting so I urge people to give this movie a chance because it is a fantastic journey from beginning to end.

Customer Review: Under-appreciated Merchant/Ivory Masterpiece!
If you have seen this film, you would no doubt be able to remember many scenes from this hidden gem. The performances are all top-notch, and why there’s no DVD available is mind-blowing! It’s filled with unforgettable one-liners, great sets and locales, beautiful montages, and the colors are rich and vivid, with perfect flesh tones from start to finish! The print is also very clean, while the overall cinematography is simply oscar-worthy! The casting could not have been better. Just have a look at the real Dora Maar, played by Julianne Moore. Her performance is just hypnotic! Surviving Picasso is about his relationships with the people in his life, and not so much about the history of his career, so it’s not fair to say this film is lacking in that respect. Gilot’s career as an artist is a fascinating one, and should be better known. Natascha McElhone’s brilliant acting does just that! Merchant’s passing should have stirred someone in charge of selecting new dvd releases to do right by both Ishmael and director James Ivory, for their incredible contribution to cinema, with the release of this masterpiece on DVD. The VHS version is crystal clear by the way, so don’t think it’s not worth the purchase. Nertheless, it would be a great addition to any DVD collection.