Vincent and Theo

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John E Aug 4 Following a string of theatrical successes in the 1970s, many of Robert Altman's films in the 1980s received a more muted critical response. However, in 1990, he returned to form with Vincent & Theo, a biographical drama centered on the complex relationship between the artist Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo. The film earned Altman renewed acclaim. At its core, Vincent & Theo is a richly textured exploration of two brothers bound by love, obligation, and a shared devotion to art. Despite being one of the most iconic figures in the history of expressionism, many people forget, or never knew, that Vincent van Gogh sold just one painting during his lifetime. His genius went largely unrecognized until after his death, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of 860 oil paintings and hundreds of drawings. The film opens with real footage from the 1987 Christie’s auction of Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, which sells for millions of British pounds. As the auction unfolds, the visuals transition seamlessly to Paris in 1883, where Vincent is living with Theo. In true Altman fashion, the sound of the auction continues for several minutes over the new scenes, creating a powerful juxtaposition between the immense value of Van Gogh’s art today and the impoverished circumstances of his life then, circumstances sustained only through Theo’s financial support. Tim Roth delivers an astonishing performance as Vincent. His eyes constantly dart his surroundings, as if the world itself is urging him to capture it on canvas. Roth’s portrayal is raw and unromanticized, presenting a man both consumed by artistic vision and tormented by mental illness. Paul Rhys plays Theo with quiet restraint. Where Vincent’s pain is explosive and visible, Theo’s is internalized, an anxious, subdued counterpoint to his brother’s unrestrained histrionics. Working at an art gallery, Theo sells pieces he finds uninspiring while tirelessly trying, and failing, to provide recognition of Vincent's work. Vincent & Theo is as much about the emotional bond between the brothers as it is about the tragedy of unrealized genius. Their relationship is one of mutual dependency shaped by illness, ambition, and unacknowledged talent. Theo, who is suffering from syphilis, struggles to find love and meaning, while Vincent’s increasingly fragile mental state threatens both their lives. In the end, it's arguable that the world might never have known Vincent’s brilliance were it not for Theo’s belief in him. Visually, the film is striking, capturing not only the period with authenticity but also evoking how the world might have appeared through Vincent’s eyes. One standout scene shows Vincent painting in a sunflower field, the camera pulling back to reveal his canvas perfectly aligned with the landscape. The moment is breathtaking, until Vincent, overcome by his mental turmoil, destroys the painting, a gesture symbolic of the chaos that is consuming him. He eventually takes his own life at the age of 37. Theo’s decline was no less tragic. As his syphilis advanced, it began to affect his brain, leading to a mental breakdown. He died just six months after Vincent, their bond unbroken even in death. Vincent & Theo is a film of dualities: creativity and commerce, vibrancy and decay, black-and-white and color, artistic obsession and public indifference. It is an exploration of what it means to create, and what that can cost. At just over two hours, it’s a deeply affecting story that’s well worth the time it takes to tell. See more Steven E 10/05/2024 A Deep Dive into the Artist's Soul: A Review of Vincent & Theo Robert Altman's moving film Vincent & Theo explores the relationship between renowned artist Vincent van Gogh and his brother, Theo. Strong performances by Tim Roth as Vincent and Paul Rhys as Theo are among the cast members of the screenplay, which Altman and Julian Fellowes adapted. The film follows Vincent van Gogh's stormy life from his early years as a struggling artist to his eventual posthumous ascent to fame. The main subject of the story is his complicated connection with his brother Theo, who supported him both financially and emotionally during his conflicting life. The story highlights significant events in Vincent's life, such as his love of painting, his struggles with mental illness, and the effects of his work on people around him and on himself. Vincent & Theo is brilliantly directed by Robert Altman, who deftly strikes a balance between the intimate and artistic facets of van Gogh's life. With its vibrant colors and compositions that mimic Vincent van Gogh's paintings, the cinematography is extremely arresting. The film's authenticity is further enhanced by the use of natural light, which produces a vivid depiction of 19th century France. In particular, Tim Roth's portrayal of Vincent is exceptional because of the depth with which he conveys the character's passion, fragility, and love of art. As Theo, Paul Rhys perfectly balances him out by capturing the steadfast love and support that characterized their partnership. The movie's tempo, which some viewers could find slow, is one possible flaw. Although it enhances the story, nonlinear storytelling can also lead to moments of misunderstanding. Nonetheless, these elements add to a deeper comprehension of Vincent's psychological challenges and the social constraints he encountered. Anyone interested in the life of Vincent van Gogh or the arts should definitely see Vincent & Theo. It strikes a deep chord with its nuanced depiction of the difficulties faced by artists and the value of family support. The movie encourages audiences to recognize the great emotional toll that creation takes in addition to van Gogh's creative brilliance. To sum up, Vincent & Theo is a moving movie that explores the life of one of the most well-known artists in history. Together with strong acting, Altman's directing crafts a personal portrayal that highlights both the sadness and beauty of van Gogh's life. In addition to paying homage to Vincent's legacy, this movie explores the intricacies of creativity, mental health, and the relationships that influence our lives. It is a poignant investigation that invites viewers to consider the costs associated with the pursuit of art and the eternal bonds of family. See more Joe F 09/25/2024 A Brother's Bond: The Pain and Passion Behind Van Gogh's Genius In Vincent and Theo, director Robert Altman takes a close look at the unique and complicated bond between Vincent van Gogh and his brother, Theo. Set in 19th-century Europe, the film delves into Vincent’s (Tim Roth) personal struggles as an artist while showing how Theo (Paul Rhys), a committed but overwhelmed art dealer, supports his brother both emotionally and financially. The film gives us a window into Vincent’s world, which is often chaotic due to his mental health issues, and highlights how his creative genius came at a significant personal cost. At the same time, Theo’s battles within the competitive art scene provide a contrasting storyline, one focused on the practical challenges of securing a future for both himself and his brother. Their relationship forms the emotional core of the film, with Theo acting as both Vincent’s anchor and, at times, his enabler. One of the film’s strengths is Tim Roth’s deeply emotional portrayal of Vincent. Roth’s performance feels raw and believable, capturing the artist’s intensity and instability. Altman’s use of vibrant colors and striking visual choices also mirrors Vincent’s own style of painting, adding another layer to the film’s exploration of artistic brilliance. The cinematography stands out in its ability to reflect the beauty of Vincent’s art while underscoring his emotional turmoil. That being said, the pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the sections focused on Theo’s art dealings. These moments, while essential to the film’s broader themes, occasionally detract from the energy of Vincent’s storyline. Nevertheless, they do serve to illustrate the stark contrast between the two brothers: Vincent, the artist obsessed with creativity, and Theo, the pragmatist trying to survive in a cutthroat industry. Overall, Vincent and Theo is a touching portrayal of the emotional and financial toll that comes with pursuing artistic greatness. Altman crafts a thoughtful narrative that doesn’t shy away from showing both the personal and professional challenges faced by the Van Gogh brothers, reminding us of the sacrifices that often accompany genius. This film will resonate with viewers who enjoy biographical dramas that dive deep into the lives of historical figures, particularly those fascinated by the intersection of art and mental health. In conclusion, Vincent and Theo may not be a fast-paced crowd-pleaser, but it is an insightful and beautifully shot examination of Vincent van Gogh’s life and the complex relationship that shaped his journey as an artist. See more Veronica T 09/25/2024 Vincent and Theo: A Struggle of Brotherhood and Art Director: Robert Altman Writer: Julian Mitchell Key Cast: Tim Roth (Vincent van Gogh), Paul Rhys (Theo van Gogh), Rachael Stirling (Jo), Martin Savage (Paul Gauguin) Producer: Robert Altman, David E. Kelly The film shows a really touching portrayal of the complex bond of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo. Throughout the film Theo’s support for his brother is unwavering and so rock steady in terms of emotional support and financial support over a long term battle with many mental health struggles and the classic struggles of a starving artist. Vincent Van Gogh is the name we are most familiar with now but Theo is the real hero of the film. Most films tend to portray romantic relationships as one of the strongest bonds you can have but I really loved that this film focused on how strong and life-changing a strong sibling relationship can be. Theo sacrificed and gave so much to help his brother pursue art and because it was his brother he was willing to do that for him. He wanted Vincent to have the beautifully vibrant life Vincent was able to capture on canvas in his paintings. The style of the overall film was very fitting for the setting. The art was portrayed well and the set reflected the emotional feeling of the scene and of Vincent. I was pleasantly surprised with the film, it may not be my favorite and I may not recommend it to all my friends, but anyone I know that appreciates art, especially Impressionist art I will recommend this film. See more r r 09/25/2024 A (very) long tale of two brothers. Directed by Robert Altman and written by Julian Mitchell, “Vincent and Theo” is an emotional drama capturing the lives of Vincent and Theo van Gogh. Taking place all over Europe during the 19th century, this film dives into the relationships of the two brothers over Vincent’s years as an aspiring artist. The story shows Vincent (Tim Roth) and Theo (Paul Rhys) living out their lives trying to sell their paintings while on a constant mental decay. I must admit, this film produced by Emma Hayter, David Conroy, and Ludy Boeken is not my favorite, yet it still contains aspects which I appreciate and think noteworthy to discuss. A highlight from the film for me was the cinematographic work of Jean Lepine. First, I enjoyed the use of big and colorful landscapes. There were many instances such as on the beach or in the sunflower field where there was vibrant color. These landscapes make it feel like a painting and the characters are inside of it. This is ironic given that these were places that inspired Van Goghs work. Beyond that, the shooting style with a moving camera capable of following and zooming on characters was beneficial. The camera following the characters created a sense of intimacy and there were times that it felt like the camera was conveying the state of Vincent's mind. I have not seen many films with this camera work, but I did enjoy it. The main reason for my disliking of the movie was the pacing and the plot. There were a couple of times throughout my watch where I zoned out or forgot what was happening. This is because the film does not follow a conventional plot. I did not feel a call to action or even count selling paintings as the object of desire. Altman chose to focus on the relationship between the brothers rather than an unwinding plot so it's hard to immerse yourself in the story. Yes, the acting was amazing, and I could feel the emotion from Roth and Rhys. However, I did not really care what would happen next. Also, because of the lack of conventional plot, the film just felt slow to me. There were lots of drawn-out scenes with little dialogue that I feel were unnecessary. Especially with no specific end goal in mind, it was hard to stay attached. I understand that this film is about the lives of two real people so it is unrealistic that it would follow a linear plot, however, I personally did not favor it Overall, the film had many great aspects but just did not cut it for me. I am a viewer who prefers a more linear story with a clear endgame in mind and this film did not satisfy that. I will say the acting and cinematography are excellent, making it worth viewing. I would give the film a 6/10. See more B K 09/23/2024 Vincent was creative, the film was not. The 1990 feature film Vincent & Theo, directed by Robert Altman and produced by Ludi Boeken, is a chaotic story that attempts to piece together the legend of Vincent van Gogh (Tim Roth) and his loving and enabling brother (Paul Rhys). The film is filled with artistic and expressive shots and what appears to be mostly improvised performances. The storyline follows the two brothers and highlights the closeness each held for each other. The film shows the two brothers jumping clumsily through days and months and years. Honestly, I could not keep track of the timeframe within the movie due to its sloppy and fractured scene to scene progression. Although I am a fan of the Vincent van Gogh legend, the inability for the audience to properly comprehend a single scene (this excludes the infamous ear scene) makes the film become quickly uninteresting. I love Tim Roth (Vincent) as an actor, but his performance is great in the simpler dialogue scenes and far too dramatic during the rest. Roth’s overperformance is so over the top in most of the scenes giving a forced undertone to the whole film. Paul Rhys (Theo), on the other hand, is a plausible character. The performance is subtle but still exciting. I especially appreciated his performance at the climax of the film and into the closing scenes. Unfortunately, I feel that his character could have had more depth for Rhys to expand. Robert Altman was known for his unconventional approach to his films, however, his emphasis on trying to create a form of beautiful chaos knocks on the front door of pure boredom. The sex scenes were odd and uncomfortable, and the storyline was unfulfilling. The overly dramatic screams of Tim Roth were too forced to conjure up any sympathetic emotions and the movie itself felt more like I was watching a Broadway play than a feature motion picture. Overall, my impression of the film was the same as the artistic psychedelic films of the late 60s and 70s, relying to much on experimental narratives and visual distortions. I am wondering if I should try rewatching it on mute, accompanied with Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album. See more Read all reviews

Vincent and Theo

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