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starring: Anthony Hopkins, Natascha McElhone, Julianne Moore, Joss Ackland, Dennis Boutsikarisdirected by: James Ivory
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786304372395
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 6304372396
Label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Release Date: October 21, 1997
Running Time: 126 minutes
Sales Rank: 2479
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: September 20, 1996
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
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 Françoise 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 Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - 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 ... Read More
Rating: - 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 ... Read More
Rating: - Eleonore Austerer
Wonderful film, outstanding performances on behalf of all actors and actresses, including Sir Anthony Hopkins. His looks and mannerism was so perfect that I forgot at times that I was not watching "Picasso in action".
While many facts shown in this movie are based on truth, we must not forget that the script was based on the novel by Arianna Huffington, who dared (in order to make a name for herself) interpreting Picasso's life by adding a heavy feminist slant. Yes, Picasso was eccentric ... Read More
Rating: - Why no DVD after all these years?
When week after week you see some of the slop flipped to DVD quickly, it's surprising to me this interesting film is still VHS only. I disagree with some of the other reviewers- I think Hopkins did a great job at inhabiting Picasso's spirit. Did the film "explain" him? No- but Picasso was such an elusive complicated man, it's not entirely surprising. As when Hopkins did Nixon- sure, you don't totally forget it's Anthony Hopkins- but as with his Nixon, Hopkins is mezmorizing here. Hopkins said after ... Read More
Rating:  - Enduring Picasso
I find Anthony Hopkins to be a master at becoming whatever he intends to create. He was just as believable as President Nixon in "Nixon", as he was a madman in "Silence Of The Lambs". Here again, he does not dissapoint me. The movie is dark, and I would tend not to agree with the accuracy of the historical aspects of the film, but I did find Hopkins to be a compelling Picasso. And, yes once again, I found myself watching Pablo Picasso. I enjoy biographies of painters and creative souls, and I would be ... Read More
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