This biographical film about Jackson Pollock (Ed Harris) depicts the abstract expressionist’s life when he encounters his future wife Lee Krasner, another artist played by Marcia Gay Harden, in New York City during the early 1940s. They relocate to Long Island, where his career begins to take off, but his struggles with alcoholism become a serious concern. Jennifer Connelly appears later in the film. “Pollock” (2000) presents an authentic account of the artist’s last fifteen years, from 1941 to 1956, and was clearly a passion project for director and star Ed Harris. The initial part of the movie feels slow; Pollock is shown as an eccentric and troubled figure. While I believe this reflects reality, the first section doesn't really grab your attention. There’s even a scene that unintentionally calls to mind a “Seinfeld” episode with a similar awkward vibe—the one where Jerry pretends to be depressed, which backfires when it affects George’s relationship. This lackluster beginning likely contributed to the film’s disappointing performance at the box office. The story improves considerably once the couple moves to a secluded spot on Long Island. At one point, a journalist asks Pollock about knowing when a painting is complete, and his response—"How do you know when you're finished making love?”—reveals his deep connection to his work; he saw creating art as being comparable to intimacy. He was certainly a troubled person, but painting served as an outlet, a source of happiness. It was Pollock’s area of exceptional talent, and his unique artistic style is undeniably beautiful. I found it so affecting that I actually cried. Sadly, alcohol ultimately led to his demise. If you're open to somber biographies about artists—similar to “The Doors” (1991) or “Big Sur” (2013)—this might be worth seeing. There are some uplifting moments even within the sadness. The film has a running time of 2 hours and 2 minutes and was filmed in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. Other actors include Jeffrey Tambor, Bud Cork, Val Kilmer, and John Heard. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB