Independent filmmaker Richard Brauer wrote Mr. Art Critic as his "...reaction to the process of making art and having some dingbat criticize you." This sentiment rings true with every artist, actor, musician, performer or writer who has ever muttered the phrase, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, criticize." Brauer felt the topic of earning a living so parasitically was rife with possible explorations, and his offbeat, understated comedy covers each base in the critic-artist-buyer-public ball diamond successfully.
While ostensibly about a few days in the life of its nasty title character, Mr. Art Critic tackles a few larger issues with which we art lovers are familiar: Do critics deserve the faith placed in them? Does genuine talent actually exist? And, most importantly, can "any idiot" really create art?
The Story
Mr. Art Critic's central character is MJ Clayton (Bronson Pinchot), a Chicago-based art critic whose reputation for brutally lampooning every show he reviews has spread to all corners of the art world. To say that he is not well-liked gravely downplays the low esteem in which he's held by readers and artists alike. (We meet MJ, in fact, complaining on his cell phone about a foot-sized dent in the door of his vintage MG Midget.) To say that he is a thoroughly disagreeable, constantly critical, self-important bore--unless interacting with an attractive and/or available female--is putting it mildly. Artists and gallery owners fear him, his editor repeatedly warns him about readers' anger over his columns and everyone else hopes he'll just go away.
MJ does go away less than 10 minutes into the film, but not before writing a particularly scathing review of the show in which Frank (John Lepard), an up and coming sculptor, has exhibited an oversized torso consisting of lethally pointed breasts and a motorized uterus. As luck and a good script would have it, MJ goes on vacation to Mackinac Island, the famous resort destination located at the junction of Great Lakes Michigan and Huron, just as Frank, whose two-week show closed after a mere two days (thanks to a horrible review), has escaped to the Island to clear his head.
The two inevitably run into each other and, over protracted rounds of beer and gin and tonics, make a wager that MJ can create art--something the critic only fully realizes when the delivery of a box of art supplies from Frank interrupts next morning's Hangover from Hell. Worse yet, MJ discovers that Frank has also entered him in the Island's annual art festival, the locals are publicizing his "celebrity" participation to the hilt, and casual Island culture has turned his Victorian-style wooden front door into something of a revolving model.
It quickly becomes painfully evident that MJ lacks both talent and the small amount of confidence it takes to touch a loaded brush to blank canvas. Enter Lisa (Toni Trucks), a summer resident and gifted painter whose works regularly win the annual competition. Lisa is seeking the advice of this famous art critic, while he (and one can almost see the wheels turning in his head) detects a possible artistic escape route and potential bed partner.
The rest of the film unfolds around MJ's machinations, Lisa's increasingly angry compliance, Frank's continued, gently goading presence, a microcosm of Art World buzz and the otherworldly charm of Mackinac Island and its residents. By the end of Mr. Art Critic, MJ's true colors are revealed and, amazingly, they are neither as washed out nor muddied as we'd previously supposed.
The Cast
Bronson Pinchot (MJ Clayton) delivers a delectable performance as MJ Clayton, the detestable-cum-understandable art critic. If you're looking for the physical comedy of Pinchot's "Perfect Strangers" Balki character, move along; his comedy is subtle, cerebral and restrained in this role. John Lepard's Frank is a perfect foil to MJ as a down-to-earth artist who's secure in his talent and steadfast in his creative convictions, but not above leveling the playing field by any means possible. Toni Trucks' Lisa is genuinely likable, and projects just the right amount of insecurity that every accomplished artist usually desperately tries to hide.
The supporting cast is largely (and wisely) culled by director Richard Brauer from fellow Michigander-actor Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Theatre Company, with whom Brauer has collaborated in the past. These actors move in and out of the story justifiably and seamlessly, indicative of long-term professional familiarity with the production crew. Special kudos are due to the musicians and Island (and Island ferry) extras--including the draft horses--who serve to give Mackinac Island its unique ambiance ... even when the cameras are not rolling.
The Bottom Line
Mr. Art Critic is hugely enjoyable fun for the legion of us who've often wondered if So-and-so's critical undergarments were ever not in an uncomfortable bunch. You'll learn little about the painting process, but much about the aftermath of careless criticism as it effects proficient artists trying to achieve positive recognition. Pop a bowl of real popcorn and drench it with real melted butter before settling in to spend an entertaining hour and a half with this DVD.
GRADE: B+
Mr. Art Critic
Starring: Bronson Pinchot, Toni Trucks and John Lepard
Directed by: Richard Brauer
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: October 13, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief language, some discreet sexual content
Distributors: MTI Home Video
