Starring the great Jean Michel Basquiat, this NY film captures the 80's art scene as it follows a day in the life of a painter trying to pay his rent. The film, on a technical level, is amateur at best. The acting and plot are barely there. However, Basquiat has a natural screen presence, full of cool wit, and is a joy to watch. Downtown 81 is best viewed as a time capsule of the art scene in New York. Great music and surprising appearances by several artists make this film worth checking out. It's a unknown gem, a snapshot of post-punk and modern art.
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