Every year or two, Hollywood gives us one of these depressing films about a character's painful descent into addiction. They are difficult to watch, particularly when they are based on a true story. There is some interesting interplay between the rich and artists and their relationship. I didn't really like any of the characters and, though I didn't know this story, I knew where the movie was going as sure as if the finish line was waving a big red flag. There are no surprises, except the nasty portrayal of the deceased rich and famous.
This is a bio pic about Edie Sedgwick, (played magnificently by Sienna Miller) a waif-like rich girl who found favor with the celebrity media (hmmm, who does that sound like in today's culture?) in the 1960s through her association with pop artist, Andy Warhol (another great performance, this time by Guy Pearce). The pair of them form the core of a bunch of self-indulgent, unfettered sixties socialites that cling to Warhol, as he holds court at his studio (known as the factory, hence the title) as they live lives of excess and denial. Sedgwick's family is shown in a horrible light and Warhol is portrayed as an immature, narcissistic leech, constantly looking for rich people to exploit. Christensen plays folk singer, Billy Quinn, a fictional character rumored to be taking the place of Bob Dylan, who apparently had a relationship with Sedgwick.
Drugs are bad. I get it. Most of us in the non-celeb world are pretty much in touch with that message, so I'm not sure I needed it again. The acting performances are strong, but the story is simple and predictable, so I can only recommend this film to those with an interest in the true story or those who, for some reason, enjoy drug culture flicks like Requiem for a Dream or Bright Lights, Big City, Less Than Zero, etc.. For me these films are all the same and hold little entertainment value. Neither did Factory Girl.
(This work was first posted on realmoviereview.com)
This is a bio pic about Edie Sedgwick, (played magnificently by Sienna Miller) a waif-like rich girl who found favor with the celebrity media (hmmm, who does that sound like in today's culture?) in the 1960s through her association with pop artist, Andy Warhol (another great performance, this time by Guy Pearce). The pair of them form the core of a bunch of self-indulgent, unfettered sixties socialites that cling to Warhol, as he holds court at his studio (known as the factory, hence the title) as they live lives of excess and denial. Sedgwick's family is shown in a horrible light and Warhol is portrayed as an immature, narcissistic leech, constantly looking for rich people to exploit. Christensen plays folk singer, Billy Quinn, a fictional character rumored to be taking the place of Bob Dylan, who apparently had a relationship with Sedgwick.
Drugs are bad. I get it. Most of us in the non-celeb world are pretty much in touch with that message, so I'm not sure I needed it again. The acting performances are strong, but the story is simple and predictable, so I can only recommend this film to those with an interest in the true story or those who, for some reason, enjoy drug culture flicks like Requiem for a Dream or Bright Lights, Big City, Less Than Zero, etc.. For me these films are all the same and hold little entertainment value. Neither did Factory Girl.
(This work was first posted on realmoviereview.com)