Biographical look at a small part of world famous artist Francis Bacon's (Derek Jacobi) life, specifically his relationship with young thug George Dyer (Daniel Craig).
Fascinating attempt to mix the grubby, visceral and frequently uncomfortable visions of Bacon's world / paintings with his real life, which in many ways is just as deeply unpleasant. What makes this film so 'attractive' is firstly the dour, filthy claustrophobia of Bacon's existence and his bizarre mixture of intellectual friends - Tilda Swinton is glorious and barely recognisable as pub owner Muriel Belcher. Secondly, the central performances by the 2 leads are exemplary. Jacobi carries off the great intellectual giant brilliantly, hugely talented with little regard for anything or anyone, happily swiping anyone aside with a cruel, witty aside. Craig matches this as a man hopelessly out of his depth amongst the local intelligentsia, bored and confused and hiding away in drunk and drugs. Not a lot of laughs then, but tough, enlightening and very well acted.
Fascinating attempt to mix the grubby, visceral and frequently uncomfortable visions of Bacon's world / paintings with his real life, which in many ways is just as deeply unpleasant. What makes this film so 'attractive' is firstly the dour, filthy claustrophobia of Bacon's existence and his bizarre mixture of intellectual friends - Tilda Swinton is glorious and barely recognisable as pub owner Muriel Belcher. Secondly, the central performances by the 2 leads are exemplary. Jacobi carries off the great intellectual giant brilliantly, hugely talented with little regard for anything or anyone, happily swiping anyone aside with a cruel, witty aside. Craig matches this as a man hopelessly out of his depth amongst the local intelligentsia, bored and confused and hiding away in drunk and drugs. Not a lot of laughs then, but tough, enlightening and very well acted.