Love Is the Devil

Francis Bacon was one of the most acclaimed artists of his generation, and Derek Jacobi is one of the finest actors of his, but even this combination can't make 'Love is the Devil', John Maybury's biopic of Bacon's life, especially interesting. The problem is that the film lacks a central point of sympathy: Bacon comes across as selfish and spoilt, while his hapless lover (the film's other central character) is too clearly out of his depth from the start, and never manages to become someone in whom one can invest any hopes. In terms of its overall feel, the film tries to reflect Bacon's artistic sensibility; in this it is partially successful, although the odd decision to fade to black between practically every scene grows tiresome. Unless you're a particular fan of Bacon, you can afford to miss this film: Stephen Frears' 'Prick Up Your Ears' (a biopic of Joe Orton) explores similar themes with more humanity.

One of those titles, I felt I should see but have always put off because it struck me as likely to be a daunting experience. So, it is not over long, has a bright performance from Daniel Craig (astonishingly, as this is twenty years ago, still making the break from TV) and good sets and believable dialogue. It is still pretty dark and there is much poncing about and drinking, here there and everywhere but principally the French House and the Colony club. We don't learn too much about the paintings (for copyright reasons never even see one) and Craig's George Dyer gets more prominence that photographer John Deakin. The film is more based upon Daniel Farson's book, The Guilded Gutter Life of Francis Bacon than anything else so we tend to get a friend and drinking partner's view of his life at that time in Soho, which is fine.

Love is the Devil is amazingly rich in character and visuals. Just like Bacon's paintings, it is abstract, provocative, dark, and cruel, yet intensely mesmorizing. Maybury couldn't have picked a better actor than Derek Jacobi to portray the very disturbed Bacon. Jacobi is so good, I wondered whether this was just acting or the real thing. One of my favorite scene was Bacon grooming himself, using ammonia cleanser to brush his teeth and curling his eyelashes with his saliva. Neither could I ever forget the countless enigmatic facial expressions Jacobi delivers. One of the best films I've seen in years.

The script for "Love is the Devil" did not scratch below the surface of the major characters not helped by the short vignette-like scenes. Most character and story development happened off screen especially the relationship between Francis Bacon and George Dyer after their initial meeting. I got the feeling that the moviegoer was expected to know some background on this. I was left with the questions of 'Why was George so emotionally tied to Francis?' and 'Did George not satisfy Francis' need for masochism?' and if not, 'Why did he keep this guy around?' The imagery, however, was stunning and affecting.

This is a film about relationships, relationships which flow over and between Bacon's life and work. I come away from the film knowing much more than I ever knew and felt about Bacon and his work, and also the period in which he worked. I would liked to have seen much more of the famous (or should that be infamous) "Colony Room" where Bacon done his drinking and socialzing. Daniel Craig is spot on as the East End spiv and petite crook. Tilda Swinton plays the hilariously foul-mouthed Muriel Belcher and I am sure that Belcher would make make a good central character in another film. The film is not about Bacon's paintings, but the man himself. His relationships his world. London could never ever been as seedy as this but what a great place to search out life.