Hockney

Unlike more narrowed documentaries focusing on British artist David Hockney—such as David Hockney's Secret Knowledge (VL-11/04) and David Hockney: A Bigger Picture (VL-9/10)—filmmaker Randall Wright here attempts a full biographical treatment, following the artist from his childhood in Bradford and studies at London's Royal Academy at Art up through his abrupt move to New York and then to California, where he has lived since the 1970s (Hockney genially ties his enthusiasm for the West Coast to his youthful love of Hollywood movies). This documentary is effectively an “authorized” portrait, based largely on interviews with Hockney and many of his colleagues and friends, interwoven with archival material (including family photos and home movies) and loving glimpses of the artist's vibrant canvases. Although it does not ignore painful episodes in Hockney's life—including his break-up with Peter Schlesinger (the model in many of his famous pool paintings), and the loss of many close friends to AIDS—it also doesn't probe very deeply, ultimately coming across as more of a selective, sprightly, and positive sketch rather than a penetrating study of the man. But it does provide a solid general overview of the life and career of an important figure in contemporary art. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Randall Wright. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this amiable portrait of the artist.] (F. Swietek)