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Vincent & Theo (1990)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
5/16, 5/19
5/16:
Vincent & Theo presents a story about Vincent van Gogh and how he was helped by his brother Theo to devote his passion
wholly to oil painting.
In many ways, the storytelling structure reminds me of Amadeus. My favorite part is the
introduction when the auctioneer of Christie's was repeatedly quoting bid prices of the über-famous painting
Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers.
It does put the story of Vincent van Gogh's life into perspective. In fact, he sold only one painting during his lifetime, just
a few months before his death, and struggled for the most part, living in penury while pouring all money into his work.
The reality is that Vincent van Gogh was a late bloomer, having started painting at the age of 28 and committed suicide by
shooting himself in the belly nine years later. He suffered from mental and physical stress by working at a feverish pace
to produce 2,100 artworks which include approximately 850 oil paintings with most of them in the last two years of his life.
Back to the film. Tim Roth is an amazing actor. I cannot think of anything he wasn't good in. Playing as Vincent
van Gogh and never overacting, it may be the best performance of his career with Archibald Cunningham from
Rob Roy coming in a close second. Let's not fail to mention how good Paul Rhys is.
What I love the most is the cinematography. Robert Altman has always been an eccentric director, but he gets everything right
in Vincent & Theo. In The Long Goodbye, the zoom effect was applied too excessively,
but this one, it's just perfect: always at the right time and in moderation. Moreover, the contrast of colors is simply unbelievable.
All in all, Vincent & Theo should be checked out for the remarkable acting performance by Tim Roth.
5/19:
14 million pounds. 14.5 million pounds. Do you want it at 15 million pounds? 15 million pounds. 15.5 million pounds...
Devoting his life entirely to oil painting, Vincent van Gogh earned almost no money during his lifetime and killed himself
at the age of 37. His brother, Theo, passed away six months later from a disease of the brain. It would take over sixtysomething
years for Vincent to be finally recognized. Today, he's arguably the most famous oil painter who ever lived.
There are two exemplary movies about Vincent van Gogh's life: Lust for Life with Kirk Douglas and Vincent & Theo
with Tim Roth. Of the former, the documentation began with Irving Stone's eponymous book in 1934, and not many knew who
the artist was. The latter, Tim Roth is nothing short of astonishing. He's absolutely absorbed into his character,
making himself real. Paul Rhys is perfect as his brother.
All in all, because of Vincent & Theo and Rob Roy, Tim Roth put himself in the
pantheon of master actors.