Lifetime's "Georgia O'Keeffe": a woman in love

Although familiar with some of Georgia O'Keeffe's work, I don't really know much about her life.

I can't say after watching Lifetime's "Georgia O'Keeffe," (Saturday, 9 p.m.) I learned a lot more.

But it's probably not fair to expect that; this is a Lifetime movie after all. So, this portrait of the artist is told through the story of her tortured love affair with photographer Alfred Stieglitz.

Luckily, O'Keeffe is played by Joan Allen and Stieglitz is played by Jeremy Irons. Which means the acting is terrific.

The story begins with O'Keeffe walking into Stieglitz's gallery to confront him because he's showing her work without her permission. Stieglitz, who history will later show was the father of modern photography, has an eye for great art that others can't see. He was pushing Picasso before anyone knew the Spaniard was a master, and he sees greatness in O'Keeffe.

Stieglitz also has an eye for the ladies. And he almost immediately propositions O'Keeffe. Although fiercely independent, she's charmed or intrigued. Either way, she gives in and begins a relationship with the married father.

It's a passionate, all-consuming affair for both. And, in many ways, Stieglitz helps push a reluctant O'Keeffe to fulfill her gifts. But he is a selfish man with a short attention span and after they marry, his eye wanders. And O'Keeffe gets to feel what his first wife felt.

I love Joan Allen. She has this innate elegance and serenity that carries through all her roles. It makes both her passion and her torment richer. Although the script is kind of thin, Jeremy Irons finds a way to help us see Stieglitz's allure. He is really is both insufferable and irresistable.

There are other fine performances: a small, but nicely realized role by Ed Begley Jr., and both Tyne Daly and Kathleen Chalfant are positively delightful.

I don't know if any of this is true or if it's what moviemaker's like to call "inspired by," but it gave me a hunger for O'Keeffe and Stieglitz's work. I'm off to the library.