Plot summary for the film modigliani (2004)

Set in Paris in 1919, biopic centers on the life of late Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, focusing on his last days as well as his rivalry with Pablo Picasso. Modigliani, a Jew, has fallen in love with Jeanne, a young and beautiful Catholic girl. The couple has an illegitimate child, and Jeanne's bigoted parents send the baby to a faraway convent to be raised by nuns. Modigliani is distraught and needs money to rescue and raise his child. The answer arrives in the shape of Paris' annual art competition. Prize money and a guaranteed career await the winner. Neither Modigliani, nor his dearest friend and rival Picasso have ever entered the competition, believing that it is beneath true artists like themselves. But push comes to shove with the welfare of his child on the line, and Modigliani signs up for the competition in a drunken and drug-induced tirade. Picasso follows suit and all of Paris is aflutter with excitement at who will win. With the balance of his relationship with Jeanne on the line, Modigliani tackles this work with the hopes of creating a masterpiece, and knows that all the artists of Paris are doing the same.

An eventual classic, 21 May 2006 Author: BigTam from United States

I saw this movie last year and watched it again the other evening. I have studied art for many years and I applaud the detail and attention paid to each moment that reflected that period. Modigliani was, by all accounts, exactly as in the movie, charismatic, a drunk, a genius, a haunted individual. Picasso was, as in the movie, a genius, a misogynist, a jealous man and very charismatic. The performances of both Garcia and Zylberstein were truthful and painfully real. I have read the critics on this movie. I'm amazed at their lack of knowledge, one can only presume, they never bothered to research and just piggy-backed the last bad critic. One critic blasted the movie saying Picasso didn't know Modigliani, yet there are photographs taken by Jean Cocteau of them together, laughing with each other -- and Picasso helped carry the coffin of Modigliani! However, I believe the movie itself will not go away as some of these art snobs would wish, but in fact, I believe it will grow through time to become a classic. My advice to those in doubt, colored by what they read, study the individuals and the period and you will be amazed to discover that, for the most part, all that you see was sadly true. Kudos to all involved and my students of art agree.

Boring! 25 January 2006 Author: mitchmuse from Los Angeles, CA

How many variations on the same scene can be done? This movie attempts to set a record. Set the movie to play, then leave the room & go to bed, knowing that while you sleep, its dullness will dissipate into the empty room. Awake refreshed, & relieved that you did not waste your time on Modigliani. P.s. If this movie were the honest truth about Modigliani's life, then it would be an absolute miracle that he painted as much as he did. He appears more indisposed than available to do anything other than stumble around drunk. The only 'feel-good' thing about this movie is 'THE END'.

Awesome, 4 November 2005 Author: countryclubchef from United States

There aren't many movies that have moved me the way this one does.The story of Modigliani is tragic but I think that if you only walk away with that you've missed the point. Modigliani loved. He loved wine, he loved Jeanne and obviously he loved art. What a free spirit! Modi died at age 35, not of a beating as the movie suggests, but due to his excesses and tuberculosis. I argue that he would have said the same thing many of us would say now {including me}"but what is life without them??" {the excesses}, for some people life without the highs just isn't worth it, even at the expense of suffering the lows. In addition the movie inspired me professionally.

Modigliani, 20 November 2005 Author: rosypetals from United States

A must-see for all romantics & artists. This one really touches your heart and soul. A very passionate movie about love, art and life. Wonderful, bittersweet love story. Love the music, costumes were great, attention to detail. Actors were excellent and Andy Garcia was terrific. I love this movie so much that I will buy it. It makes you feel as if you were there. Actors very convincing, they portrayed their characters in such a manner that was very moving. Also hope that there will be a soundtrack. Great filming locations, I felt like I was in Paris back in 1920 era. This one really stays with you.

An indubitable masterpiece!, 25 January 2006 Author: from United States

A masterpiece! A brilliant film acted with conviction and directed by Mick Davis with great skill, insight, and beauty. When I read the rambling of "professional" reviewers on their shallow conception of the artist as a basis for demeaning this film, I felt ashamed of being human. The truth is that I have never experienced a more psychologically insightful and compelling cinematic portrayal of the artistic spirit. The montage depicting artistic creation is one of the greatest in the history of world cinema. Guy Farley's music score is absolutely perfect. Complex, haunting, and enthralling! To director Mick Davis: Thank you for this magnificent film. You have truly created a masterpiece! Do not be discouraged by the negative reviews. "Professional" critics have seldom properly appreciated true genius.

Beautiful and heady, 27 October 2006 Author: clockley-1 from Australia

This is not a documentary. If you (unlike myself) are a versed art historian, you may well have issues with some of Davis's choices regarding his portrayal of famous art personalities. If, however, you simply enjoy a subtly crafted film, then this film is for you. It doesn't set out to 'explain' artistic motivations (a wise choice from Mike Davis, - for who can ever really claim to know 'why' an artist does what he/she does) but rather presents an ethereal collage of colour, sound and minimal script and allows the audience to draw its own conclusions about the life and motivations of Modigliani and those surrounding him. Garcia does a credible job of bringing Modigliani's addict soul to the screen and, for all his faults, is an eminently watchable actor throughout the 2hrs of screen time. Elsa Sylberstein is hauntingly beautiful, and the film's soundtrack is perfect.