Vincent and Theo, directed by Robert Altman, was released in November of 1990. The film was produced by Ludi Boeken and written by Julian Mitchell, with Jean Lépine serving as cinematographer. Gabriel Yared, who has previous experience working with Altman, composed the film's musical score. Vincent and Theo stars Tim Roth as Victor van Gogh and Paul Rhys as Theo van Gogh.
Vincent and Theo focuses on the dynamic between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo van Gogh, and the way that the two men move throughout their interconnected lives. The film opens by showing an art auction, at which we see van Gogh's painting Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers sell for millions of dollars. Van Gogh's work was largely unrecognized during his lifetime, but gained prominence and fame after his death. From there, Altman takes the audience on a journey of the two brother's lives, showing Vincent's development as an artist under the financial support of his brother, along with his deteriorating mental stability. Concurrently, the audience learns about the events of Theo's life, including his battle with syphilis and the pressure for him to be a successful art dealer. Additionally, Altman uses part of the film to highlight the time Vincent spent in Arles, France, with Paul Gauguin (played by Wladimir Yordanoff).
Tim Roth is masterful in his performance as Vincent van Gogh, he completely commits to the character and offers a deeply moving portrayal of van Gogh's tragic life. Paul Rhys also has a very compelling performance, as the audience learns more about the history of his life in relation to his brother's. The cinematography of the film is beautiful, and many of the landscapes shown almost looking like paintings themselves (which is noteworthy because van Gogh painted so many versions of the environments around him). Additionally, Gabriel Yared's musical score complements the visuals of the film, and is also used to showcase Vincent's erratic emotional state. During the film, scenes in which Vincent is shown having emotional outbursts are set to intense music which enables the audience to appreciate the severity of these episodes. One of these scenes takes place in a field of sunflowers, also providing a callback to the opening of the film in which Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers sells at auction.
I enjoyed and would recommend this film, especially for viewers who are interested in an untraditional look at some of the intricacies of van Gogh's life.
Vincent and Theo focuses on the dynamic between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo van Gogh, and the way that the two men move throughout their interconnected lives. The film opens by showing an art auction, at which we see van Gogh's painting Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers sell for millions of dollars. Van Gogh's work was largely unrecognized during his lifetime, but gained prominence and fame after his death. From there, Altman takes the audience on a journey of the two brother's lives, showing Vincent's development as an artist under the financial support of his brother, along with his deteriorating mental stability. Concurrently, the audience learns about the events of Theo's life, including his battle with syphilis and the pressure for him to be a successful art dealer. Additionally, Altman uses part of the film to highlight the time Vincent spent in Arles, France, with Paul Gauguin (played by Wladimir Yordanoff).
Tim Roth is masterful in his performance as Vincent van Gogh, he completely commits to the character and offers a deeply moving portrayal of van Gogh's tragic life. Paul Rhys also has a very compelling performance, as the audience learns more about the history of his life in relation to his brother's. The cinematography of the film is beautiful, and many of the landscapes shown almost looking like paintings themselves (which is noteworthy because van Gogh painted so many versions of the environments around him). Additionally, Gabriel Yared's musical score complements the visuals of the film, and is also used to showcase Vincent's erratic emotional state. During the film, scenes in which Vincent is shown having emotional outbursts are set to intense music which enables the audience to appreciate the severity of these episodes. One of these scenes takes place in a field of sunflowers, also providing a callback to the opening of the film in which Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers sells at auction.
I enjoyed and would recommend this film, especially for viewers who are interested in an untraditional look at some of the intricacies of van Gogh's life.