DIRTY PICTURES
US, 2000, 104 minutes, Colour.
James Woods, Craig T. Nelson, Diana Scarwid, Leon Pownall, Matt North.
Directed by Frank Pierson.
Dirty Pictures won the Golden Globe for the best film made for television in 2000. Its star, James Woods, was nominated for a number of awards.
The film concerns a trial, held in 1990 in the city of Cincinnati. The focus was on the photographs of celebrated photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe. Some of his photos were considered obscene, exhibitions were withdrawn. However, Dennis Barrie curated an exhibition of photos in Cincinnati in 1989. There was opposition from the sheriff as well as community groups, religious groups.
The film takes a stance anti-censorship. However, the screenplay presents a range of arguments about the nature of community standards, about art and obscenity, about the first amendment in the United States, freedom of choice for adults. Set in the dramatic context, the arguments are well worth listening to and debating.
James Woods gives a solid performance as the curator of the museum, not expecting the hostility that was aroused, agreeing with his lawyers to sue the sheriff of Cincinnati for his opposition, undergoing cross-examination and trial, tensions within his own home, the support of his children, the upset of his wife (and the later information that they divorced after the resolution of the case).
Craig T. Nelson is solidly effective as the sheriff. Diana Scarwid is Dianne Barrie.
The film was directed by Frank Pierson, veteran screenwriter of films including Dog Day Afternoon. He also directed a number of films for cinema and television, including the Barbra Streisand A Star is Born.
The film works dramatically well – shows glimpses of many of the controversial photographs which enable the audience to test their theoretical views about censorship with viewing images.
1. The film based on a true story? Art issues? Community standards? Funding of art by government? The role of law? Changes in the 20th century?
2. Cincinnati as the focus, the American Midwest, a test in Ohio? Exhibitions, museums, galleries? Art and taste? Protest? Protection from offensive material? The role of the law? The New York origins of the art? The cancellation of the Washington exhibition?
3. The film opening at the trial, going back one year, the situation in Cincinnati, the cancellation in Washington, the decision to go ahead in Ohio? Reactions, the discussion in the board, for and against? Dennis Barrie and his role at the gallery, his skills in curating exhibitions? His relationship with his wife, children? The sheriff? The role of the media and stirring controversy? The standards group? The ideological campaigns?
4. Robert Mapplethorpe as a controversial photographer, his sexuality, homosexuality, dying from AIDS? His photographs of sexual behaviour? Of children? His Catholic background, lapsed? His life, death? The content of his photos? The art qualities and formal nature of his art? The explanation of lines, light and shadow, focus? The history of art and the comparing of photos to Renaissance paintings and sculptures?
5. The device of inserting interviews with actual people: Jesse Helms, D’Amato?, Salman Rushdie, the boy photographed, Susan Sarandon...?
6. The curators’ meeting, Dennis and his stance, John Walsh as an expert? Setting the scene?
7. James Woods’ performance as Dennis, as a person, his skill in art, curating, his family, his decision, his own taste, his case with the board, the variety of reactions, the shock in the city, the sheriff’s role? Dennis being persuaded to sue the sheriff? The appointing of the judge, losing appeals? The children and their suffering at school, being called names, fighting? Dianne becoming more desperate? Their ordinary life, going to the formal dinner and being shunned, Dianne’s overt reaction?
8. The lawyers, issues of freedom, personal choice, the clashes, motivations of the lawyers?
9. The judge, his friendship with the sheriff, his visit to the exhibition, his decisions in court, overruling objections? His alleged attempt at humour? His accepting the verdict?
10. The sheriff, the television interviewer, his being careful, yet his being set up? His seeing the art, his reaction, his harsh attitudes towards the interviewer and banning her?
11. The group, the lobby, their tactics, demonstrations in the park, handing out information, Dennis Barrie trying to discuss with Monty Lobb? Monty Lobb’s final comment that even though the case was lost, it made the public more wary, the law more cautious – and therefore a victory?
12. Issues and definitions, art, obscenity, the conditions for obscenity, the variety of arguments? The exhibits? The issue of whether people liked them or not? That as a basis for banning? Individual freedoms? Families and protection?
13. The prosecutor, the photos as evidence, the witnesses, the police – and the scene of riot at the gallery?
14. The psychological expert, her discussion about human experience, versus the experience of art?
15. The anonymous visitor, the offer of money, his discussions with Dennis? Visiting the home, putting doubts in Dianne’s mind?
16. Dianne, love for her husband, growing more upset, trying to protect her boys, the fights, the decision to stand by Dennis? The later divorce?
17. The focus on the boys, their being called names because of their father, the fights in school, Dennis and his interventions, the other parents? The boys and their love for their father, even if he were to go to jail?
18. The jury discussions, the variety of points of view, the Christian woman, the moral aspects, freedom aspects? The nature of the jury discussions? Their being influenced by the cross-examining of Dennis?
19. The decision, the reactions of those involved, the thanks to the jury? Dennis and his press conference, acclaim for the jury?
20. The fact that the audience was able see a variety of photos, listening to the arguments, noting the subjects and their style, issues of art and forms? American freedoms? How universal the application of these discussions to other cultures?
