Girl With A Pearl Earring (Wide Screen) > Reviews > Using the Painter's Palette

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Liked it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Unmemorable
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Wonderful cinematography evocing the painter's work and Johannson's outstanding performance
Disadvantages:	Some may regard it as a bit slow and you may only be interested if you like the premise or art

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

If you have ever looked at a painting and wondered what could have so inspired an artist that he would want to spend hours, days, even months, painting a single moment, then 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' may well be a film that interests you. The film is an adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's novel, which explores the possible muse for Johannes Vermeer's painting of the same name. Beautifully evocative of 17th century Holland, the film is a credit to first time director Paul Webber, his designers and cast.

A young Protestant woman, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), is forced to work as a servant in order to support herself and her family when her father's injuries prevent him from working as a tile painter. She begins to work for the Catholic family of the Vermeer's. Vermeer's wife, Catharina (Essie Davis) would prefer that Griet blended into the background, but soon her husband (Colin Firth) becomes captivated by her and her interest in light, dark and colour. Before long she comes to the attention of his patron Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) who desires more than just the painting that he commissions without Catharina's knowledge. Even the austere and penny pinching Maria Thins, Catharina's Mother (Judy Parfitt), becomes complicit in the potential downfall of the modest young woman who serves her family - will this doom the tentative relationship that Pieter, the butcher's boy (Cillian Murphy), is trying to develop; and what exactly does Griet want?

Initially, the most striking element of the film is Eduardo Serra's award winning cinematography, Ben van Os' production and Dien van Straalen's costume design. Many of the shots appear to recreate Vermeer's use of light and dark - with shots frequently demonstrating the reality being painted in the same sort of framing as the pictures displayed within the film. The dark and dusty hues shot through with light seen in Vermeer's interiors seem to be evoked even in the few external shots of Delft. Some moments of framing, such as Griet standing in the centre of a paved sun on her way to begin work at Vermeer's seem occasionally self-consciously pictorial but beautifully laid-out. The attraction of the paintings and paint for Vermeer and Griet is clearly seen, as the bright blues and vivid yellows of the paints vibrantly contrast against the dull colours of set and costume; with the costume alluding to certain of the characters attitudes - such as Griet's modesty and Catharina's desire to be noticed by Vermeer - whilst all the time maintaining a coherent design concept.

For a young actress this film provides an interesting role. Griet has little to say through words, but much to say through her silence, despite carrying the entire film. Scarlett Johansson balances this well - especially as many of the shots linger. For an audience member it is as exciting trying to work out exactly who Griet is, and what she wants through these silences. Johansson does not confuse this, in the way it could so easily have been. The strength in her eyes is complimented equally by her reserved conduct; a contradiction that leaves us wondering exactly what she is prepared to do, as she becomes sucked into the world of Vermeer and Van Ruijven.

Colin Firth provides an interesting variation on his Mr Darcy style performance. Firth appears to be still being cast as brooding characters. Thankfully, this variation works on a slightly different level. The brooding and intense character is not as clearly sketched. Throughout the film, there is a feeling that he is potentially dangerous to Griet, and Firth plays this whilst remaining protective in his education of her. In the same way as we are not sure what Griet is capable of, we are not sure what Firth's, at times volatile, Vermeer's intentions are. Together the two combine a number of illicit, sensual moments, which are on the face of them relatively mundane, and remain a credit to both actors involved.

The other supporting performances are also strong. Tom Wilkinson as Van Ruijven manages to combine amiability with a touch of viciousness. Alakina Mann as Cornelia, the Vermeer's jealous daughter, is surprisingly - and thankfully - understated. With the only week performance being the moments that Judy Parfitt appeared to be a little too stage-like in her declamation of significant lines.

One entertaining observation to make is that the Dutch characters speak with English accents. Although consistency and American Johansson's English accent are to be credited, I often wonder at this sort of convention. Is it an artistic choice or purely designed to make the film as accessible to the general public as possible?

Already having garnered two Golden Globe and ten BAFTA nominations amongst others, it could be said that Peter Webber's debut is a success. The film certainly is thoroughly enjoyable, if at times a little self-conscious, and will only really appeal to those interested in the novel, the premise of a fictionalised painter's inspiration and films made more for the art-house than the multiplex; especially with the languid cinematographic style and exposition. Fortunately Alexandre Desplat's complementing musical score helps to maintain pace and attention. Not only is this an enjoyable film, but it also helps to bring to general attention a talented young actress. Johansson is certainly one to watch in the future, if not just this month in both 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and 'Lost in Translation'. When faced by the original painting in the film's final moments, Johansson may not be the spitting image, but the spirit can clearly be seen throughout.

Awards and nominations can be found at:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335119/awards

Now also available on DVD at £13.99 from play.com