(Untitled)

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Oct 25

Nov 1

Oct 25

Nov 1

Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films
USA • 2009 • in English • 96 min • R

In this smart, satirical comedy, a brooding avant-garde composer falls for the gorgeous owner of a trendy New York art gallery and the quirky worlds of contemporary art and music are set on a hilarious collision course.

Set in the artsy Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, (UNTITLED) tells the story of Adrian Jacobs, a difficult composer of equally difficult music whose sparsely attended performances involve musicians breaking glass and kicking metal buckets. In contrast, Adam’s brother, Josh, is a commercially successful painter of vapid canvasses that corporate clients snap up by the dozen. But, Adrian’s luck appears set to change when Josh brings the stunning Madeleine to one of his concerts. Not only does she embrace his work and ask him to perform at her gallery, she invites him into her bed. As the two embark on a fiery affair, Adrian is introduced to a world of pretentious art collectors, dueling gallerists and eccentric artists, including Ray Barko, whose bizarre creations include chandeliers of stuffed animals and dead cows draped with jewelry. When Josh discovers Adrian and Madeleine’s relationship and Madeleine refuses to exhibit Josh’s paintings—even though the money they bring in is what keeps the gallery afloat—the stage is set for a showdown as comedic and discordant as Adrian’s music.

Club reactions by city:

moderated by Matthew Bernstein
with guest Jeremy Abernathy, burnaway.org Film Reviewer

The absurdity of modern art has probably never been so absurdly presented.

Clever and highly entertaining discourse on pretence as offense, and the significance of the eye of the beholder. Through its light-hearted exposure and cycnism of the 'BS' factor, the fil malso presents an idealism to 'follow your dreams' vis a vis Adrian at the end.

This movie is an approachable, comprehensible representation of art (and artists) who fail to make easy connections to other humans. Funny, thought-provoking, cynical--utterly entertaining.

moderated by Brittain Smith

A laugh out-loud movie!

Hilarious spoof of the contemporary art and music scene but with depth.

Dealt with essential questions.

moderated by Gilberto Blasini
with guest Elena Gorfinkel, UWM Assistant Professor of Art History and Film Studies

The topic is a bit obscure for the general public, but among the intelligencia it is certain to stimulate discussion.

Hilarious! I'd love to have a collection of the film's one-liners so I could use them myself in approriate mundane/comic situations.

Everyone in the art world should see this film!

moderated by Rod Armstrong
with guests Jonathan Parker (director) & Catherine DiNapoli (co-writer)

Wonderful, thoughtful, satirical yet non-judgmental film. Quite authentic.

I'm surprised to say that I'd recommend an indie film about contemporary art/music to everyone, but I will. Because it's an accessible film about not-so-accessible art and people. There was a touch of cynicism and sarcasm, but so much humanity.

A brilliant, if a tad hyperbolic, parody of the art world which, nonetheless, provokes serious questions of creativity, originality, beauty, commercialism and collecting. Loved the juxtaposition of the acoustic and the visual!

moderated by Desson Thomson
with guest Jonathan Parker (director)

From the ridiculous to the sublime and it was the ridiculous that was sublime.

When I read the synopsis, I thought I was going to not like the movie, but it was thought-provoking, deep, and fun fun fun! I haven't laughed so much in a movie in a long time.

I just loved it! Having Jonathan Parker present made it particularly special.