Modigliani (2004)
A passionate biopic tracing the final days of Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani — his art, his rivalry with Picasso, and his forbidden love.
Modigliani - Movie Information
- Original Title: Modigliani
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Mick Davis
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 18, 2004 (United States), October 19, 2023 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: 毕卡索与莫迪利亚尼 (TW), 莫迪与毕加索 (CN), Modigliani (FR)
- Production Companies: Lucky 7 Productions LLC, Media Pro Pictures, Bauer Martinez Studios, Buskin Film
- Production Countries: France, Germany, Italy, Romania, United Kingdom, United States of America
Modigliani - Plot
Set in Paris in 1919, biopic centers on the life of late Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, focusing on his last days as well as his rivalry with Pablo Picasso. Modigliani, a Jew, has fallen in love with Jeanne, a young and beautiful Catholic girl. The couple has an illegitimate child, and Jeanne's bigoted parents send the baby to a faraway convent to be raised by nuns.
Modigliani - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for the film's rich Parisian atmosphere:
His passion was life. His obsession was art.
Where to Watch Modigliani
Looking for where to watch Modigliani?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Modigliani - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mick Davis
Main Cast
- Andy Garcia
- Elsa Zylberstein
- Omid Djalili
- Hippolyte Girardot
- Eva Herzigová
- Miriam Margolyes
- Udo Kier
- Susie Amy
- Peter Capaldi
- Jim Carter
Writers
- Mick Davis
Modigliani - FAQs
What is Modigliani about?
Modigliani follows the turbulent final days of Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani in 1919 Paris. The film blends his fierce artistic rivalry with Pablo Picasso with a deeply personal love story — his forbidden relationship with the young Catholic Jeanne Hébuterne, complicated by religious prejudice and social scandal.
Did Modigliani and Picasso really have a rivalry?
Yes, Modigliani and Picasso were contemporaries in Montparnasse and moved in the same bohemian circles. While the film dramatizes their relationship as a heated artistic rivalry, historically they were more complicated acquaintances than outright enemies — both brilliant, both fiercely ambitious, and both competing for recognition in the same Parisian art world.
Where can you stream Modigliani?
You can stream Modigliani on Amazon Prime Video or watch it for free on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, and Fawesome. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Is Modigliani based on a true story?
Yes, it's rooted in real history. Amedeo Modigliani was a genuine Italian painter who lived and worked in Paris, and Jeanne Hébuterne was his devoted companion. Their tragic story — marked by poverty, illness, and a heartbreaking end — is one of art history's most poignant romances. The film takes creative liberties but honors the emotional truth.
Who plays Amedeo Modigliani and Pablo Picasso?
Andy Garcia brings Amedeo Modigliani to life with passionate intensity, while Omid Djalili plays Pablo Picasso. Elsa Zylberstein portrays Jeanne Hébuterne, and the supporting cast includes Miriam Margolyes as Gertrude Stein, Peter Capaldi as Jean Cocteau, and Eva Herzigová as Olga Picasso.
What is the tragic ending of Modigliani?
The film builds toward the real-life tragedy that defined Modigliani's legacy. Amedeo died of tubercular meningitis in January 1920, just days after the film's 1919 setting concludes. Devastated, Jeanne Hébuterne — nine months pregnant — took her own life the following day. It remains one of art history's most heartbreaking endings.
How long is Modigliani?
Modigliani runs for 2 hours and 8 minutes — a generous runtime that gives the film space to breathe through its period atmosphere, artistic debates, and emotional character arcs set against the vibrant bohemian world of 1919 Paris.
Where was Modigliani filmed?
Modigliani was a true international co-production, shot across multiple countries including France, Romania, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Romania in particular provided many of the period Parisian street settings, standing in convincingly for the Montparnasse bohemian world of the early twentieth century.
More About Modigliani
Explore further details about Modigliani on these authoritative resources: