High Art

High Art follows Syd, a young editorial assistant at a prestigious photography magazine in New York. After a leak from the apartment above brings her to her neighbor's door, she meets Lucy Berliner, a photographer who was once celebrated but now lives in a haze of drugs and a troubled relationship with her girlfriend Greta, a former actress. Syd sees a chance to advance at the magazine and sets out to persuade Lucy to shoot for it again, drawing her into Lucy's bohemian circle even as attraction grows between the two women.

Lisa Cholodenko wrote and directed this, her first feature, ahead of Laurel Canyon, Cavedweller and The Kids Are All Right. Radha Mitchell plays Syd, Ally Sheedy plays Lucy, and Patricia Clarkson plays Greta, with Gabriel Mann, David Thornton and Anh Duong in supporting roles. The Canadian-American production was made by Antidote Films, October Films and 391 Productions.

Released in June 1998, the film runs 101 minutes and is a drama with a romance at its center. It took in about 2 million dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds 6.6 out of 10 from roughly 12,000 votes, while on TMDB it has 6.2 out of 10 from about 155 votes. A critics' rating of 6.8 out of 10 from 49 reviews places it slightly above both audience scores.