MAPPLETHORPE (Stan)

It’s disappointing that such an iconic, ballbusting, shit-stirring and talented photographer like Mapplethorpe would be the subject of a film as bland as this.

Robert Mapplethorpe rose to prominence in the 1970s and died in 1989 at 42 of AIDS. His works continue to be a reference point for queer art.

The people who posed for him (some even wore clothes) included Debbie Harry, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Philip Glass, Princess Margaret, David Hockney, Donald Sutherland and Andy Warhol though, judging by this film, it’s unclear why any of them did.

Though mostly attracted to men, he had a sexual relationship with fellow wild child, musician Patti Smith but she opted not to co-operate on this project and all that remains of her influence on him is just a glimpse that asks more questions than it answers.

He must have been driven, daring, courageous, reckless to thumb his nose at the establishment, to push boundaries so far beyond what was acceptable. Viewing his art, one senses elation and audaciousness. This portrait of the artist as a dull man is missing the most essential element of all – it’s completely joyless. That, as Russell T Davies’ latest work attests, is the biggest sin of all. (R18+ high-impact sexualised nudity [not really], 103 mins)