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Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Waiting For Hockney - Art Documentary Review


Imagine spending 10 years of your life working on the same project, 365 days per year, at no pay, having huge loans you must pay off.


Now, imagine the project you were working on was a pencil sketch based off a photograph of Marilyn Monroe. I said that correctly, a-pencil-sketch-of-a-photograph-of Marilyn-Monroe.  For ten years, that is.


Billy Pappas does just that, but in the process creates what could be a whole new genre of art... or is it? Waiting for Hockney is a documentary about Billy's attempt to get his work noticed.

Pappas attempts to contact David Hockney, a famous  artist to justify his work and the rest is an interesting ride.


The film takes a look at what it means when you bet not only your money but give up years of your life all for one thing that you are passionate about.  Papas loses years, ten years to be exact, off his career path and his development as an artist.  He has a close relationship with his mother and father but really seems to have no other close relationships, which is sad considering he is a very genial and friendly man. The kind of guy men would like to hang out with and women would like to date. 


Papas commits those ten years and Julie Checkoway films it.  The first three quarters of the film are interesting to watch but nothing exceptional. There are some problems I had with the film during this time.  Nothing is really said about Billy's technique or what tools he uses.  I know he uses pencil but I'm not even sure they mention the canvass or paper it is on. Billy is a trained artist and has a degree to prove it, yet the film is directed in a way that makes him look ignorant of the art world, which I find hard to believe.



The last quarter Checkoway throws in some intriguing perspectives from the key players in Papas ambitions. Perspectives you didn't expect earlier. This elevates the film to an above average documentary.

Nothing sensational but I certainly don't regret watching it.


More Great Best Movie Reviews By TurtleDog


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