I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)

Intro
The 1996 movie, "I Shot Andy Warhol", directed by Mary Harron, presents a historic drama based upon the life of Valerie Solanas, an American extreme feminist writer known for her attempt to murder the pop art pioneer Andy Warhol in 1968. Played by Lili Taylor, Valerie is portrayed as a dark, troubled, and controversial figure, fighting with mental disorder, poverty, and her anti-male ideology.

Plot Synopsis
The film chronologically portrays Valerie's journey from a street prostitute to a struggling writer with anti-social tendencies. Desperate for recognition in the male-dominated world of the '60s, she ends up being included with Andy Warhol and his avant-garde circle, called "The Factory". Playwright Tom Hughes and director Paul Morrissey (played by Jared Harris and Reg Rogers) find her raw and evocative "SCUM Manifesto", a provocative feminist essay calling for the abolition of the male sex. Convinced that Warhol can turn her work into an effective movie, Solanas signs an agreement offering him rights to her product.

Middle/Conflict
As Warhol (played by Jared Harris) continues to ignore her work and basks in his fame, Valerie's desperation and estrangement grow. She becomes increasingly paranoid and sees a vast male conspiracy working against her. This fear exacerbates her mental disorder and she ends up being obsessed with Warhol initially neglecting her, and after that exploiting her work. As her mindset degrades, so does her relationship with Candy Darling (played by Stephen Dorff), a trans-woman who belongs to Warhol's entourage.

Climax
The movie reaches its zenith when Solanas, persuaded of betrayal and misstatement from Warhol, buys a weapon and storms into The Factory. She fires 3 shots at Warhol, hitting him as soon as and seriously injuring him. She then turns herself into the cops, proudly declaring, "I shot Andy Warhol".

Conclusion
While Warhol makes it through the gunshot, Solanas serves time in prison and in a psychological institution, her paranoia never ceasing. In the end, she remains an isolated figure, remembered not for her extreme feminist writings, but for her effort on Warhol's life. The movie ends with Solanas' passing in 1988 from pneumonia at the age of 52.

General Review
"I Shot Andy Warhol" is a gritty drama that represents Valerie Solanas with unflinching sincerity, no matter how uneasy or unsympathetic she might encounter. The movie boasts powerful performances, especially Taylor in the leading role. It checks out styles of feminism, social alienation and mental disorder set versus the background of 1960s New York City's counterculture. Moreover, it charts the tense relationship between Solanas and Warhol and showcases the hazardous atmosphere that added to her violent act. It presents Solanas as a tragic figure, whose life was a series of missed out on chances and misconceptions, culminating in a single, ill-fated act of violence. Yet, no matter the intensity of her actions, the movie recommends a specific level of empathy for Solanas, who was largely misunderstood and marginalised in her life time.

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