Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
ADULT THEMES, SEXUAL REFERENCES, LOW LEVEL COARSE LANGUAGE
| Director: | Peter Webber |
| Actors: | Tom Wilkinson, Colin Firth, Judy Parfitt, Scarlett Johansson, Cillian Murphy, Essie Davis, Alakina Mann, Joanna Scanlan, Chris Mchallem, Gabrielle Reidy |
Delft, Holland, 1665. After her father, a tile painter, is blinded in a kiln explosion, seventeen-year-old Griet must work to support her family. She becomes a maid in the house of Johannes Vermeer and gradually attracts the master painter's attention. Though worlds apart in upbringing, education and social standing, Vermeer recognizes Griet's intuitive understanding of color and light and slowly draws her into the mysterious world of his paintings.
Vermeer is a perfectionist, often taking months to finish a painting. His shrewd mother-in-law, Maria Thins, struggles to maintain the family's lavish lifestyle on the income from his painstakingly meager output. Seeing that Griet inspires Vermeer, she takes the dangerous decision to allow their clandestine relationship to develop.
Plunged into a chaotic Catholic household run by Vermeer's volatile wife Catharina, surrounded by an ever-increasing brood of children, Griet is increasingly at risk of exposure or worse. Twelve-year-old Cornelia, a mischievous girl who sees more than she should, quickly grows jealous and suspicious of Griet and is determined to cause trouble.
Alone and unprotected, Griet also contends with the attentions of Pieter, a local butcher boy, and Vermeer's patron, the wealthy and lascivious Master van Ruijven, who is frustrated that his money does not buy him control over the artist. While Griet falls increasingly under Vermeer's spell, she cannot be sure of his feelings for her.
The Machiavellian van Ruijven, sensing the intimacy between master and maid, gleefully contrives a commission for Vermeer to paint Griet alone. The result will be one of the greatest paintings ever created, but at what cost?
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 100mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (98)
98 Member
Reviews
says
When I googled the image of girl with a pearl earring - the young girl painted is youthful and pretty. Without even being any sort of student of art I can appreciate the light and shade in the painting.
Scarlett looked like a cancer patient - from the extreme pallor of her skin, to her almost invisible eyebrows, to every strand of hair being tucked away beneath her cap. I almost expected that when she removes her cap that she would be completely bald or be experiencing a serious hair loss issue. No I don't expect her to be painted like a tandoori chicken but her whiteness was so extreme it was almost inhuman.
The overall impression is that this was a conservative time. Yet after the van Ruijvan attempts to rape her the virgin Griet rushes off to what appears to be a brothel to find Pieter (a guy she doesn't even appear interested in but who is keen on her) to sleep with. She appears quite flippant about the whole thing and then brushes off his marriage proposal.
There is nothing to attract you to any of the characters unless you're into self-centred people. From the mother in law who holds money above family, to the painter more concerned with seducing his next model than caring for his family, to those hostile children wreaking havoc on the maid's things, to the painter's wife that petulantly wants to fire the maid out of sheer jealousy, to the maid who spends more time in the artist's studio than doing her job.
It might be an interesting film for those that appreciate art.
For me the only redeeming feature was that it did not go for more than an hour and a half.
Carina
says
Wonderful film, with an intriguing use of colour and the lack of dialogue that make it more emotive. Scarlett's innocence really shines through and Colin Firth is brilliant as the unnerving artist Vermeer.
Cheryl
says
great movie for people that love art history.
chookey
says
Beautiful story on so many levels. So well acted that a lot of dialogue wasn't necessary. Colours beautiful which went with the story of course. Taking on 1660 I thought very very clever and amazingly well portrayed. Only ever given one 5 before.
Jenny
says
A beautiful blend of colour and squalor, art and dirt. Firth and Johansson burning up the screen. Moody and compelling.
Ursula
says
After a fictional novel very loosely based on Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). Without the intention of being a historical biopic, the movie does not wrong to Vermeer. It rather stimulates our fantasies how he could have been as a person through his paintings. Breathtaking cinematography which captures Vermeer's filling, oil-based colors, and light into every scene as well as many corner-shots just like the paintings of the Flemish school. The eroticism between artist and model is exquisitely acted by Johanson and Firth!!
One of my favorite movies of all time ???
Carolyn
says
You'll either like or not like this movie - there's no inbetween. Agree with some of the other reviewers, it's a restrained movie with much communicated by looks
John D.
says
Historical aspects of the period: costume, location, architecture etc, were well captured, but I found the story not as involving as I imagined it would be. I waited for something really dramatic, and it didn't happen. The ending was a bit lame.
Cassie
says
Thought Scarlett J was great in this role, but did think it ended rather abruptly, would like to have seen more of what her life became. Have not read the book but I understand that this is in the book.
Bron
says
This is an exquisitely restrained movie with fine acting from Scarlett Johansen (probably her best acting alongside Lost In Translation, which I also love) and Colin Firth. Not a lot of dialogue is spoken by these actors but lingering looks and glances mean everything. Beautifully filmed and I loved the music.
Carol
says
Like a good meal with a fine bottle of wine, this movie is a slow feast for the eyes and senses. Every frame looks like a Vermeer painting and goes a long way toward making up for what is essentially a pretty thin story line. My only gripe was the number of times Scarlett Johansson has to peek up from underneath her bonnet (okay, enough already) and Colin Firth has to peek behind half-closed doors. If you can ignore the excessive peeking and peering, this is a satisfyingly rich film.
Naomi
says
It wouldn't make any sense if you hadn't read the book...
Ian R.
says
great scenery from delft, nice story with some good portrayals of the class system
Ian H.
says
A beautiful story, with beautiful performances, superb scenery and cinematography, and haunting music. It may be slow and ponderous, but I felt this fitted perfectly: much like the labour needed for producing a fine piece of art.
Nikola S.
says
To know that the painting is actually a valuable history piece would help understand the movie better. At the beginning of the film it doesn't state the historical value of the painting - which is a shame. I really liked the setting, scenery, paintings etc. The film is a was a good all-rounder.
John N.
says
Griet is forced into service in the Vermeer household when her family can no longer keep her. Johannes, a painter and a rather moody person, spends most of his time locked away in his studio. His wife, Catharina, is constantly pregnant and jealous of Griet's good looks. Her mother rules the roost with an iron glove and negotiates commissions for her son-in-law, their only source of income. Griet cleans and dusts the artist's studio, but he is too self-absorbed at first to even notice her. One day he looks up to see Griet cleaning the leaded lights and probably realizes that she could be the subject of a portrait. At a time when the artist is agonizing over what his next painting should be, and his mother-in-law desperate for another commission, Vermeer's rich patron, who is attracted to Griet, commissions a painting of her. Despite the possibility of Catharina going into a fury if she knew about it, her mother is determined that the commission is taken up. Secretly Griet starts to sit for the artist. Colin Frith, as Vermeer, and Scarlett Johansson, as Griet, give suitably restrained performances in that they are living in Dutch puritan society of the 1660s, but also because both are fearful of the two dominant women in the house. Yet they generate between them a high degree of erotic tension which smolders beneath the surface. A fascinating drama and a wonderful period piece with scenes not unlike paintings of the Dutch Masters.
Nola B.
says
As slow as watching (rather attractive) paint dry. Colin Firth brings nothing new, except a rather awful wig. The lovely Scarlett Johannsen spends most of the movie looking like a blowfish, trying to convey wonderment. however, turn the sound off, and enjoy the pictures.
Jennifer C.
says
beautiful movie, especially if you are interested in art history, visually spectacular.
Audrey U.
says
It is the story of a famous Dutch painter (Van Demeer?) and his relationship with the new maid. She is given the task of cleaning his painting studio as well as working in the house and a subtle relationship starts to form. She seems to understands about some of the frustrations he has from his family, his subjects, those who commission his work etc. I found the movie was heavily edited and the viewer was expected to work out what exactly the relationship was about. It was only when I looked at the deleted scenes that I was able to piece together the movie. The original opening scene that was deleted gives the viewer an insight into how the maid views inanimate objects and colours. This is something the painter picks up on quite early in the movie and realises that there is something special about her. Worth a look if you like a mystery.
Shawn C.
says
An engaging movie but with a slow ending.
Christiaan P.
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Vicki H.
says
Slow moving but quite beautiful. A simple story with convincing actors.
claire
says
Truly a masterpiece in every shot & scene! Brilliantly filmed and acted, bringing you right into the story and making you feel as though you're a part of it. Many times through the movie, you feel as though the picture you're looking at on the TV is an oil painting masterpiece at the gallery.
Just wonderful!
Wayne M.
says
Worth seeing - the story behind the picture.
sara
says
A beautiful visual experience. This movie is not really about a story. It just shows you how one artiste gets himself inspired to create art!
adinjess
says
I read the book with my Book Club, and we watched the movie at our meeting. We were all quite dissapointed by the movie, as the book was very good. Colin Firth was great as Vermeer (he can do no wrong!), and the other characters were good, but the script didn't capure the book's story very well. There were lots of side stories in the book that were missed, and the intricacies of the relationships were too overt in the movie (typical hollywood). However, if you had not read the book, the movie would have been just fine, since you didn't know what you were missing, and possibly a bit boring. Not a guys film!!
Meryem S.
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Jennifer W.
says
Not a lot of dialogue - a very quiet movie - excellent photography - lovely to look at.
Irena B.
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Emma J.
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Siobhan W.
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Annoying characters in this film prevented enjoyment of this story for me.
Marilyn W.
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Naida C.
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David P.
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A beautiful film with first class acting. The slower pace matches the pace of peoples' lives as they must have been through this period. The authenticity has been captured admirably.
Annette L.
says
Having read the book, I was fairly satisfied with the movie except for the ending. They ended the movie very abruptly and didn't really show what ended up happening to Griet.
Melvyn D.
says
Slow moving but beautifully lit and photographed biopic of Vermeer's life and times. The whole movie has the glowing beauty of an old Dutch painting. Outstanding performances by Firth and especially Johanssen as the girl.
Clare B.
says
Atmospheric and interesting. The lighting is beautiful.
Marnie
says
The staging is remarkable - I felt like I was back in the book. Having said that however, I felt the script lacked depth, and had I not already read the book, I think I may have had difficulty understanding the plot.
Janette K.
says
Beautiful.
Katherine L.
says
Beautifully filmed, and true to its historical context. Drama dragged in places. One for the art buffs?
Bev M.
says
It depends what you like of course, but if you enjoy subtle films and appreciate art you will be utterly captivated with this beautiful film
Jeff T.
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Penny J.
says
Artisically beautiful, however I found it unusual and difficult to watch. a bit too deep for me!!
Zoe R.
says
Beautiful movie. Not a huge amount of story but it is just lovely to watch. The colours and the lighting are the real stars in this movie.
Brigitte
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Simon H.
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Lousie Campbell
says
I enjoyed it. Worth the rent .
Violet Fawkes
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René Van Overbeek
says
Story's a bit thin, but the cinematography is gorgeous. You'd swear you're walking through 17th Century Delft. As well many frames are exquisite Vermeer pictures.
The sparse dialogue comes across as very credible.
Paul Morgan
says
Movie with few surprises.
John Marshall
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Liz Barton
says
Loved the subtle colours and the chance to enter the dream surrounding the painting and what may have been.
lynnie
says
This might be OK if you enjoy arty films. I found it simply quite boring and thankful it only goes for an hour & half. Don't expect alot to happen.
Sarah Hammond
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Thelma Tschappeller
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Jules
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Ray Nugent
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Frances Sanford
says
Not too bad. Not as good as the book.
Christina
says
2 hours of my life completely wasted on this
s s s l l l o o o w w w piece of wanna-be-a-classy-movie. Not quite as bad if watched at 4x speed.
Anthony Stanguts
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S. Mullen
says
Earlier reviews say it all. Well worth watching.
Trish Richter
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Susan Sams
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Couldn't really get the idea. Wished something would happen between the painter and maid to add a bit of excitement.
Trevor Harrison
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David Stephensen
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This wonderful movie will make you work, becuase nearly everything is understated. A whole twist of the plot can rest on one flicker of Scarlett's eyebrow. If you love beauty and subtlety, see it.
J C
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Fiona Irvin
says
It love arty movies and this is about art itself.... a particular Vermeer painting. Scarlett J is fab - and what a surprise, Colin Firth was Vermeer. Enjoyable.
Sharon Crispin
says
This was one really awful film and VERY HARD to keep up with. Don't bother.
Belinda
says
I wasn't expecting much of this film, which is perhaps why I discovered it to be quite good. Intriguing.
Natalie Bridges-Webb
says
Gabrielle Wright
says
A close look at the life of a medieval working woman, her lack of power, and the unscrupulous use of power by those with power over her. The plot is slow moving, and is unsatisfying, and hard to see what it is trying to demonstrate.
Corrine
says
Beautiful to look at, but story restricted to what can be told in 95 minutes. Not much depth to any of the characters. It's the "Cliff" notes version of the "Griet" story. But I still enjoyed it.
Christopher Jones
says
Beautifully filmed - every scene looks like a painting by a Dutch Old Master, but there isn't much of a story.
Dale
says
A beautiful portrayal of a subtle love story from the great novel. Amazing art direction and historical representation with strong acting.
Rob Tidd
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Jennifer Forde
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Jerome Mellor
says
A little slow but beautiful colour and scenes to match Vermeers paintings. Story about the repression of Protestant ethics.
Linda Sherlock
says
Disappointing after all the publicity.Good sets but storyline thin.Wooden acting/bad producing & directing.
Fiona Lakta
says
NO real character development - what story? As 2 dimensional as a painting....Scarlet J attempts not to display any emotion through the entire film making her look slightly brain dead ?!?
Chris
says
An interesting movie, from the point of period setting and portrayal. Not for people who get bored easily, though, because it is very slow moving. Disappointing ending, but leaves opportunity for a sequel.
Richard Hagebols
says
Joanne Rogers
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Susan Marquez
says
Maybe...
Maurice
says
The photography is exquisite but Colin Firth as Vermeer, wearing the same pained expression as Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, is miscast.
Barbara
says
The book was better - but if I had not read the book I would have enjoyed the film more
Anthony
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Rebecca O'meara
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Gilbert Webster
says
This is about VerMeer, the the great master painter of Holland. Most fantastic scenes of Delft, brilliant photography. The scenes look like master paint works in there own right. Great cast well acted. Story only so-so.
Steven Wong
says
The actress bears an unbearable likeness to the girl in the painting
Tony
says
A masterpiece. The film is one continuous Vemeer painting. Thank goodness that someone still wants to make good films.
Maria Stathis
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Peter Harris
says
Full of faithful and beautiful images that re-create Seventeenth Century Dutch painting and life Girl with a Pearl Earring is a joy just to look. Sobering that joy is the film's subtle and moving portrayal of the tensions that can underlie art, love, daily and family life and differences in social class. Art triumphs but the cost is personal.
Amy
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Daniel Jumpertz
says
A classy film with some beautiful cinematography and an interesting historical insight into old Europe.
Arianna Martusciello
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Chris Childs
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Denise Orr
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Audrey Hughes
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