Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Based on a novel and a real Master Painter we pick up the story in the midst of the 17th century Holland. Griet, played by Scarlett Johansson, is a modest maid thrust into the house of a Master Painter. The family is only being kept out of bankruptcy one person, Pieter Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) who would commission paintings and portraits of himself. As the story unfolds Griet becomes enthralled with the mystery in Master Johannes Vermeer’s (Colin Firth) work and genies. An emotional relationship begins to form when Vermeer sees an inspiration for a painting from an ordinary task that Griet was performing. As the master begins to open up to her, he is encapsulated by her beauty, and begins to teach her the process of making paint. Griet is torn between to worlds, as her romantic interests in the Butcher’s boy, Pieter (Cillian Murphy) and her fairy tale relationship with her Master. Pieter Van Ruijven is persuaded to commission another painting, in which he clearly displays his desire for Griet. Master Vermeer is torn by his duty to his family and class, and the emotions he has developed for Griet himself. Griet is just caught in the middle. She can’t stand up for herself and keep her job, nor does she want to be used.
It is a interesting story that just takes a long time to set up. The beginning is slow and the middle is slow, wait no the whole thing is slow. Most of the emotions are set up with looks and reaction shots rather than conversation and dialogue. Scarlett does not have very many a lines, yet her character is strong. You begin to feel for her plight and emotional dilemma. The cinematography is very beautiful, most shots are composed with a great detail to the painting from that era. The framing looks like your staring into a moving painting very beautiful and exquisite. This film takes patients to get through. I enjoyed it, but would caution that you make sure you are in the right mood or you will get frustrated and dismiss the film for being boring.
If you have time pick up Girl with a Pearl Earring.
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