Art School Confidential
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: May 5, 2006
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
18
Mixed:
14
Negative:
6
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
ChadS.Oct 21, 2006
Jerome's hero is Pablo Picasso, so surely, there is an awareness on his part of the dead white artist's famous observation that "good artists borrow; great artists steal." "Art School Confidential" is such a sour film; even its Jerome's hero is Pablo Picasso, so surely, there is an awareness on his part of the dead white artist's famous observation that "good artists borrow; great artists steal." "Art School Confidential" is such a sour film; even its happy ending is laced with cynicism, as Jerome's deliberate misinterpretation of Picasso's quote brings him both, personal and professional successes. The filmmaker's potshots towards art school and its banalities are screamingly funny, but at the expense of humanity(this film is for misanthropes). Chip Kidd's novel "The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel in Two Semesters" had both, the sling and the arrow, and its concentration was in art. "Art School Confidential", ultimately, is actually about film; more to the point, about genres and context. I wonder if the makers of "Brick" were inspired by this film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
DavidJ.May 27, 2006
I thought this was a candy. Though not as clever as "Ghost World" in my mag, Clowns still manages to put a very unique view on the art school life style. Yes it was. And no it wasn't ophmoric humor (and don't get me right i die for I thought this was a candy. Though not as clever as "Ghost World" in my mag, Clowns still manages to put a very unique view on the art school life style. Yes it was. And no it wasn't ophmoric humor (and don't get me right i die for those), but even so it was like a breath of contaminated air for me : )… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MelissaM.May 8, 2006
Another great film from Zwigoff!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
gbJul 3, 2007
This movie is so pitifully dull. There is nothing compelling about the central character, nor are his motivations worthy of any sympathy. There seems no point of access by which to enjoy this film.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
BruceO.May 14, 2006
This had to be one of the most worthless, absurd, trite, horrible movies I've seen in quite some time. How do films like this even get made?
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
TomB.May 14, 2006
I thought that the movie started off nicely enough and gave us some characters we would like to see more of; Unfortunately, the whole storyline gradually got off track, discarding many of the more interesting characters and potentially I thought that the movie started off nicely enough and gave us some characters we would like to see more of; Unfortunately, the whole storyline gradually got off track, discarding many of the more interesting characters and potentially interesting subplots, and by the last fourth went in a whole different direction (an odd and uncompelling murder mystery!) which didn't really fit with the tone of the first three acts. The last twenty minutes to half hours were flat and uninteresting.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SusanS.May 26, 2006
I really enjoyed this movie--and I was a little skepitcal after I'd read reviews of it...but then, when I was watching it, I realized that the whole thing is a parody. A very dark, serious parody. Which is really my bag. Sure, some I really enjoyed this movie--and I was a little skepitcal after I'd read reviews of it...but then, when I was watching it, I realized that the whole thing is a parody. A very dark, serious parody. Which is really my bag. Sure, some things could've been more clever or slightly better written, but on the whole, it was quite worth seeing. But be forewarned: this is not to be taken seriously. It takes itself quite seriously, but if you've ever been to art school or liberal arts college, you'll understand. While the plot pretends to be serious, I found myself laughing out loud at what seemed to be the most serious and intimate parts, which is what I think fooled critics. This movie is not about the profoundness of art. It's about what art drives people to. And sometimes that's homicide.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
CaseyS.May 7, 2006
Zwigoff employs too many cliches in this movie. I can see how the style is designed to reflect the art school atmosphere and the far too serious approach taken to art by many artists, but as a non-artist I found it a little over the top. Zwigoff employs too many cliches in this movie. I can see how the style is designed to reflect the art school atmosphere and the far too serious approach taken to art by many artists, but as a non-artist I found it a little over the top. There were many funny moments, but the "journey" that the character goes on through the film is one that you can see in any teenage sports movie, this film is just set in an art school. Make it a renter and save yourself some money.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
PabloP.Jun 17, 2006
only see this film if you've been to art school. you'll be able to relate with some of the situations. everyone else should chose another film to see.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
TimM.Jun 4, 2006
This is one other most unamusing, ignorant, nihilistic, infantile wastes of time currently haunting late imperial America's movie houses and that is saying a lot. Don't waste your money.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PeteM.Aug 26, 2006
While I would agree that it lacks the emotional weight of Ghost World and doesn
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JHJan 23, 2007
This is a terrific movie. It is funny, smart, and the acting and directing are wonderful. Rent this!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
LindaL.Feb 19, 2007
This movie was so bad that it actually surprised me -- especially considering the "two thumbs up" and connections to the very good "Ghost World" and "Bad Santa." Enjoyably mordant observations of art-school hypocrites give way to This movie was so bad that it actually surprised me -- especially considering the "two thumbs up" and connections to the very good "Ghost World" and "Bad Santa." Enjoyably mordant observations of art-school hypocrites give way to developments (re the serial killer subplot) that are just as inexplicable as they are ridiculous.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JamesMay 13, 2006
Very funny stuff. It's lowbrow humor for a highbrow crowd. A T&A film for intellectuals. Anyone who's been to art school will be able to appreciate it all the more.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
AdamH.May 13, 2006
I have no problem with a movie about art school students that might appeal to art school students. But what about the rest of the audience? Bored and depressed--two or three genuinely funny moments killed by sterotypes and a dozen other I have no problem with a movie about art school students that might appeal to art school students. But what about the rest of the audience? Bored and depressed--two or three genuinely funny moments killed by sterotypes and a dozen other moments MEANT to be funny, that end up being squirm-in-your-seat akward.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MaseMay 16, 2006
Luckily I didnt listen to the critcs and saw this underrated dark comedy from Zwigoff. I understand not everyone will get this movie but I had alot of fun, I'm glad Zwigoff makes movies about themes he obviously knows and cares about. Luckily I didnt listen to the critcs and saw this underrated dark comedy from Zwigoff. I understand not everyone will get this movie but I had alot of fun, I'm glad Zwigoff makes movies about themes he obviously knows and cares about. It's obvious in the strange warmth this movie has for it's characters even as it skewers them. I was smiling throught often laughing out loud. We don't get original comedies like this often. If you like say RV then you probably won't like this.... eveyone else who appriciates smart well done comedy go.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
DeelonE.May 21, 2006
I thought this was a treat. Though not as clever as "Ghost World" in my book, Clowes still manages to put a very unique view on the art school life style. Yes it was dark. And no it wasn't sophmoric humor (and don't get me wrong i I thought this was a treat. Though not as clever as "Ghost World" in my book, Clowes still manages to put a very unique view on the art school life style. Yes it was dark. And no it wasn't sophmoric humor (and don't get me wrong i live for those), but even so it was like a breath of fresh air for me.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
KenG.May 28, 2006
I think this was supposed to be a quirky black comedy, that grows increaseingly dark. Unfortunately, this misfire comes off as a movie trying too hard to be quirky, that grows increaseingly drab, rather then dark.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JimG.Jul 21, 2006
Fun characters in black comedy better enjoyed in Clowe's comics than onscreen.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
SamB.Jul 25, 2006
This is a nasty little gem that skewers the grad/art school pretensions that a lot of knucklehead sycophants wrap their heads around, the only reason why it's getting such low scores is because it calls a lot of so called experts on This is a nasty little gem that skewers the grad/art school pretensions that a lot of knucklehead sycophants wrap their heads around, the only reason why it's getting such low scores is because it calls a lot of so called experts on their credentials and they're severly butt-hurt over it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
BillyD.Aug 27, 2006
I enjoyed this movie and would definitely watch it again. John Malcovich was quirky-good as usual.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
More From This Movie

54 Critic Reviews

6.2 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL