Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures
2016 · Movie · NR · 105 min · ★ 6.9 · 86% critics
This documentary explores the work of a famously controversial photographer whose explicit images of sex, nudity, and fetish pushed boundaries and sparked debate about art versus pornography. It also highlights a quieter side of the portfolio, including striking studies of flowers, sculptures, and carefully composed human forms.
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2016
- Release date
- 2016-06-16
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Critic score
- 86/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (43 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you’re interested in art that challenges social norms and frank discussions of sexuality; Not for you if explicit sexual imagery or fetish content is uncomfortable, similar to Beautiful Darling.
Pros: provocative subject matter; boundary-pushing imagery; broader artistic range | Cons: very explicit content; confrontational themes; not subtle viewing
Themes
- lgbt
- portrait of an artist
- gay theme
Cast & crew
Robert Mapplethorpe
as Self (archive footage)
Fran Lebowitz
as Self
Debbie Harry
as Self
Brooke Shields
as Self
- CH
Carolina Herrera
as Self
- PM
Paul Martineau
as Self
Bob Colacello
as Self
Patti Smith
as Self (voice) (uncredited)
Directed by Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey