Girl with a Pearl Earring Review
Girl with a Pearl Earring is based on a novel by Tracey Chevalier. The source material creates a backstory for the portrait of the same name by Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer. Although the identity of the beautiful girl who inspired Vermeer to paint his masterpiece is elusive, Chevalier crafted her story based on a series of clues on Vermeer’s life.
It should be noted that I was slow to see Girl with a Pearl Earring. It was during a resurgence of my love of Colin Firth that I saw the film in mid-2000. While still broody and arguably taciturn, Colin Firth has long hair, a scruffy jaw and does not resemble Mr. Darcy in any way.
Don’t Get Caught Up In His World
Set in 1665, the story begins with Griet (Scarlett Johannson), a 17-year-old sent to work in the household of Johannes Vermeer. The household is troubled; a noisy cacophony of sound, filled with adults and children who see Griet as inferior. At the heart of the home is its temperamental breadwinner, Vermeer (Colin Firth) whose ability to produce works of art is the main source of income for the family. Making the situation dire is the fact that Vermeer’s wife Catharina (Essie Davis) is once again with child, adding another mouth feed.
He saw things in a way that others did not, so that a city I had lived in all my life seemed a different place, so that a woman became beautiful with the light on her face
Vermeer, however, is far from winning the husband of the year award. As an artist, his output is driven by a temperamental muse. Despite commissions by a wealthy, arrogant patron, Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) the family always seems one step from debtors prison.
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In spite of his household’s eccentricities, Griet finds Vermeer and his work intriguing. Tasked with cleaning his studio, she develops an interest in the room and its artistic contents. Griet has an eye for colour and detail, something Vermeer quickly notices. Discovering his maid as his latest muse, Griet becomes somewhat of an apprentice to Vermeer and helps him mix paints and discuss some of his composition and works. For Vermeer, she is a breath of fresh air, someone who understands his passion and encourages his artistic endeavours. His wife is jealous, underscored by his response to her query around why he would not paint her. Simply he states, “because you don’t understand.”
Stifled by the class structure of the day, Vermeer and Griet are unable to act on their budding attraction. Complicating matters is the fact that Vermeer is dependent on a patron and financier who has his eye on Griet.
You’re A Fly In His Web… We All Are
Girl with the Pearl Earring is sensitively handled by Peter Webber. The film sticks closely to the source material and yet remains captivating. The set design is incredible as the use of colours emphasises the world Vermeer lives in.
You’re so calm and quiet, you never say. But there are things inside you. I see them sometimes, hiding in your eyes
In particular, Webber is able to recreate the lighting made so famous in Vermeer’s work. The score, like the beautiful cinematography, is incredibly haunting and gives life to the fragile relationships that permeate the film.
You Looked Inside Me
As Vermeer, Colin Firth is distant and distracted. When he eventually notices Griet, their attraction is all the more powerful because of his moody indifference. Vermeer is taciturn and eccentric and it’s fascinating to see his appreciation for Griet slowly colour his view.
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Scarlett Johannson is incredibly beautiful as Griet. She has an uncanny resemblance to the actual subject of Vermeer’s painting. She deserves praise for her ability to play Griet as she should be – unpretentious and natural. And this is a quality that Vermeer veritably inhales. The tangible sexual chemistry between Firth and Johannsen is palpable. They manage to create a strong emotional bond that is quite spellbinding.
Girl with the Pearl Earring is not without fault, however. The story suffers mainly from a lack of decent characterisation and growth. Colin Firth is wonderful, but he merely scratches the surface of an incredibly complex character. The supporting cast is also mainly wasted in a film that really is all about the artist and his muse. Some might also find the film too meandering and a little light on drama.
Despite its flaws, the wonderful direction, set design and score make this worth a watch.
Content Note: Girl with a Pearl Earring is rated PG-13 for mild sexual content.
Where to Watch: Girl with a Pearl Earring is available to watch on Amazon Video. Girl with a Pearl Earring is also available on DVD.
Photo credit: Pathé, Lionsgate
OVERALL RATING
“You had me at hello.”
ROMANCE RATING
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My
feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me
to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
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Yet another movie for my Netflix DVD queue. 🙂
I watched it for Colin initially. Its delicious!
I loved the book and was quite pleased with the adaptation. I didn’t realise Essie Davies played Vermeer’s wife. Great review!