Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures

A very honest and thorough documentary on the life and works of Robert Mapplethorpe. Honestly, had heard the name before but hadn't seen much of his work, and saying they are confronting, is missing the point. The images are controversial, no doubt, but what he tried to accomplish, and the method and vision he had makes him unique.

Important and informative documentary about an important photographer. The film asks you to accept the assessment that Mapplethorpe is THE reason photography achieved importance as an art form--an opinion undoubtedly embraced by the ruthlessly ambitious artist himself. I would have to disagree, but no one did more for its commercial marketability than Mapplethorpe. One the best films about any modern visual artist I know of.