Ah, the life of a tortured artist. The new biopic Pollock is a thoroughly depressing look at the life of the hard drinking artist, convincingly played by Ed Harris (who also makes his directorial debut.)

Abstract painter Jackson Pollock was a complex man, but he was also a genius when it came to the hobby he loved most. Throughout his life, he was often lead astray by alcohol. With the help of his soul mate (played beautifully by Oscar Winner Marcia Gay Harden), it seemed that Pollock would finally find solace in his life but not without a series of relapses and unpredictable events.

This project has been a labor of love for Harris for quite sometime, and this is a strong directorial debut. Harris' performance as Pollock is even stronger. As I stated in my Enemy at the Gates review, Harris can give a stare that speaks a thousand words. He more than resembles the painter. He also captures his fiery energy and inner turmoil as well. This is a powerful and uninhibited performance that really should have won the actor an Oscar. Of all the nominees this year, I felt he was the most deserving. Co-star Marcia Gay Harden did win an Oscar, and it's easy to see why. She gives an explosive turn as a woman who really struggled to keep Pollock on the right track. Never backing down from Pollock's sudden bursts of anger, this was a strong willed woman who would not give up on the man she loved.

Pollock is a sad film about a man unable to deal with the rigors of the real world. Through his painting, he found a way to express himself but ultimately, he never really found a way to cope. Harris has captured this depressing and lonely portrait on film punctuating it with energy a realism. After watching it, you'd swear that Harris could paint as well as the tortured soul he's portraying.