
The greatest cultural accomplishments in history have never been the result of the brainstorms of marketing men, corporate focus groups, or any homogenized methods; they have always happened organically. More often than not, these manifestations have been the result of a few like-minded people coming together to create something new and original for no other purposethan a common love of doing it. In the 1990s, a loose-knit group of American artists and creators, many just out... (Full plot summary below)
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The greatest cultural accomplishments in history have never been the result of the brainstorms of marketing men, corporate focus groups, or any homogenized methods; they have always happened organically. More often than not, these manifestations have been the result of a few like-minded people coming together to create something new and original for no other purposethan a common love of doing it. In the 1990s, a loose-knit group of American artists and creators, many just out of their teens, began their careers in just such a way. Influenced by the popular underground youth subcultures of the day, such as skateboarding, graffiti, street fashion and independent music, artists like Shepard Fairey, Mark Gonzales, Spike Jonze, Margaret Kilgallen, Mike Mills, Barry McGee, Phil Frost, Chris Johanson, Harmony Korine, and Ed Templeton began to create art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Many had no formal training and almost no conception of the inner workings of the art world. They learned their crafts through practice, trial and error, and good old-fashioned innovation. Not since the Beat Generation have we seen a group of creative individuals with such a unified aesthetic sense and varied cultural facets. The world of art has been greatly affected by their accomplishments as have the worlds of fashion, music, literature, film, and, ironically, athletics. Over the years, the group has matured, and many have become more establishment-oriented; but no matter, their independent spirit has remained steadfast. The story of the Beautiful Losers will be a retrospective celebration of this spirit.
Leave your thoughts about Beautiful Losers.
| Boston GlobeMichael HardyFor a film about a gaggle of slackers, Beautiful Losers is remarkably polished; with its quicksilver editing and fastidious mise-en-scene, it's as tight as the artists are slack. |
| San Francisco ChronicleKenneth BakerTrue to the loose, funky spirit of the artists and their work. |
| New York PostV.A. MusettoNames of the other artists - such as Barry McGee, Ed Templeton, Margaret Kilgallen and Jo Jackson - won't necessarily ring a bell, but they all have interesting stories to tell in this pleasant film, which sings the praises of nonconformity. |
| Film ThreatMark BellBeautiful Losers challenges and appreciates, is worthy and worthless; a piece of art in itself. |
| Filmcritic.comPaul Brennera celebration of rude and raw art and the kinetic charge of experiencing something fresh and undefiled |
| Los Angeles TimesGary GoldsteinFortunately, Rose's on-camera turns as a kind of "I-was-there" guide through the various incarnations of the Alleged Gallery and its starrier alumni, help give this freewheeling portrait a welcome heart. |
| New York PressAshna AliA product of the movement as much as an ode to it, the film is a gem because of the immaturity and intimacy that it shares with those featured in it. |
| TV Guide MagazineKen FoxWhile not every artist Aaron Rose profiles in his documentary about one colorful corner of the 1990s New York Art scene is "beautiful," they're all "losers" and proud of it. |
| Los Angeles Daily NewsBob StraussThis is a pleasant enough visual romp with surprisingly few down notes. |
| Sky CinemaRob DanielThe affection these people have for each other is what makes Beautiful Losers (the name is taken from one of their shows) so attractive. |