Ben Whishaw Transforms Into Legendary Photographer Peter Hujar
Ben Whishaw delivers a masterful portrayal of photographer Peter Hujar in this contemplative 76-minute film that recreates a 1974 conversation, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the artist's world and mindset.
A few months back, spotting Ben Whishaw on a London street brought Paddington to mind first. Yet quickly, memories of his remarkable range surfaced – from embodying John Keats to appearing in Bond films, plus that early Nathan Barley role. Whishaw's versatility shines brightest in his latest work, where he channels photographer Peter Hujar with stunning authenticity.
The actor inhabits Hujar so naturally, you'd think they were old friends. He settles into conversations with Linda Rosenkrantz, played by Rebecca Hall, moving effortlessly between casual positions – couch, balcony, bedroom – throughout their 76-minute exchange.
A Conversation Brought to Life
This two-person dialogue drives the entire narrative. Hujar never gained proper recognition during his lifetime, despite capturing many 1970s and '80s cultural figures from New York's artistic scene. Only recently has his work received deserved attention, and Sachs' adaptation lets audiences peek inside the photographer's thoughts.
Drawing from Rosenkrantz's original project, Sachs transforms their recorded 1974 conversation into cinema. The writer published this material years ago, inspiring Sachs to create this flowing, rhythmic piece that occasionally acknowledges viewers directly.
Inside the Artist's Mind
We become invisible observers as Rosenkrantz prompts Hujar to recount his recent 24 hours, including encounters with Allen Ginsberg and Susan Sontag. Whishaw embodies cool detachment, cigarette in hand, describing his experiences while Rosenkrantz studies his perspective on human interactions and what merits discussion.
She doesn't psychoanalyze him like a therapist, but clearly finds fascination in how he processes relationships and chooses which moments deserve attention.
An Acquired Taste
This won't appeal universally. Viewers likely need familiarity with Hujar and his cultural context to fully appreciate the experience. This creates tension – should films require background knowledge, or should quality storytelling provide necessary context?
The work functions as preservation and reflection, examining a romanticized yet mysterious era. By revealing the human side of idolized figures, it presents an honest portrait, though one serving a narrow audience likely to extract meaningful value from this intimate character study.