Review: Malkovich perfect as annoying ‘Art School’ professor

That may be true, so making a film about studying art – and the concept of going to school to study art – is probably just as much of an exercise in futility.

But oddball (in the kindest sense of the phrase) director Terry Zwigoff’s new film, “Art School Confidential,” serves as a fine look at the artistic process while incorporating a twisted murder mystery into its plot.

The director is no stranger to the macabre. Zwigoff’s best film was the documentary “Crumb,” which detailed the life of underground comic book genius/hippie-period icon/wreck of an artist himself, Robert Crumb.

Zwigoff then teamed with a kindred spirit steeped in the comic book tradition, “graphic novel” artist Daniel Clowes. They made two movies together, both very uncomfortable.

“Bad Santa” is possibly the darkest Christmas film ever committed to celluloid, and “Ghost World,” based on one of Clowes’ comics, is similarly disturbing.

Zwigoff’s and Clowes’ shared vision is as dark as ever in “Art School Confidential.”

The first two acts of the film play out like a cynical black comedy. Act three incorporates a crime drama that is – while considering the characters we’ve come to know – devastatingly chilling.

Max Minghella plays Jerome. He’s a guy who takes his art seriously.

He comes to art school to try to learn a thing or two. He also comes to art school looking for sex. He thinks (maybe rightly so) that art school girls are freer spirits than the average college girls gone wild.

Disappointingly, Jerome’s first nude model is a male.

But then comes Audrey.

She’s everything Jerome wants.

While they forge a friendship, Audrey’s love for Jerome is more platonic than he would like it to be.

He deals with it. Somehow.

There are two other important relationships Jerome pursues.

John Malkovich plays professor Sandiford. Malkovich is no stranger to uncomfortable roles, and here he’s as annoying a character as he is a great actor. Zwigoff’s and Clowes’ perception of someone who thinks “art” can be taught is scathing. Professor Sandiford paints nothing but triangles.

“I was one of the firsts,” he claims when discussing his three-sided “masterpieces.”

Malkovich is perfect in the role.

Jim Broadbent as Jimmy is Jerome’s other influence. He’s a drunken lout, a misanthropic artist who, in Zwigoff’s universe, offers the only ray of hope. It’s a wicked desperation to be sure, but there is the element of anguished truth in what Jimmy professes.

Other class actors provide cameos.

Anjelica Huston plays an art teacher somewhat less cynical than Jimmy who notes that the great white male artists all did their best work “before they were dead.”

Steve Buscemi is Broadway Bob, the owner of a local café. He’s a staunch (and cynical … by now you should get the drift) patron of the arts who is worshipped by the college kids.

As the school year progresses, Jerome gets more and more frustrated. A fellow student, portrayed as the absolutely typical “golden boy,” is stealing the thunder of the college’s art classes. His work really isn’t that good, and he has a secret that avails itself in the final act of the film.

The college has been the milieu for a series of murders: Young women are strangled.

The filmmakers hold this scenario back somewhat until the final act. Hints are given throughout, but when the murderer is revealed, it’s as dark and shocking as all of Zwigoff’s other plots.

He’s a great director, if one can handle the bleakness of his vision.

The truth can be painful at times, and art, it’s been said, is truth.

“Art School Confidential” starts out as a classic (if completely dark) satire but ends up as a chilling murder mystery. The film is not for everyone’s taste, but fans of Zwigoff will chalk this up as a masterpiece.

A haunting one.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.