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Director Stanley Tucci had everything he needed to make a compelling film about obsession and the flimsy line that separates artistic genius from madness. He also had great source material: James Lord’s pithy, fascinating memoir, in which the critic recounts being asked by artist Alberto Giacometti to sit for a portrait in a session that should have taken an afternoon but ended up stretching on for weeks.

Robert Ham is the Mercury's former Copy Chief. He writes regularly about music, film, arts, sports, and tech. He lives semi-consciously in far SE Portland with his wife, child, and four ornery cats.