Beauty inspires obsession.

In the 1660s, a young girl called Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is employed in the household of painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth); she inspires him for his greatest work. There isn’t much we know about Vermeer, so this story takes liberties but few will mind. The script, detailing Vermeer’s work on “Girl With a Pearl Earring” and Griet’s problematic presence in the household, is simple, but this directing debut still has a hypnotic style (aided by the music) and cinematography that makes the film look like it was painted by Vermeer. Johansson leads the cast, worth a look as the carefully treading maid.

The YouTube video shows the scene where Vermeer prepares Griet’s ear for the pearl.

2003-Britain-Luxembourg. 100 min. Color. Widescreen. Produced by Andy Paterson, Anand Tucker. Directed by Peter Webber. Screenplay: Olivia Hetreed. Novel: Tracy Chevalier. Cinematography: Eduardo Serra. Music: Alexandre Desplat. Cast: Colin Firth (Johannes Vermeer), Scarlett Johansson (Griet), Tom Wilkinson (Pieter Van Ruijven), Judy Parfitt, Cillian Murphy, Essie Davis.

Trivia: Mike Newell was allegedly considered for directing duties; Kate Hudson and Ralph Fiennes for the two leads.

European Film Awards: Best Cinematographer.

film movies scarlett johansson colin firth johannes vermeer IMDb

Published 2008-04-19 12:36