Girl with a Pearl Earring

Peter Webber

2003

Synopsis

This film, adapted from a work of fiction by author Tracy Chevalier, tells a story about the events surrounding the creation of the painting "Girl With A Pearl Earring" by 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. A young peasant maid working in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works.

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Cast

Scarlett JohanssonGriet
Colin FirthJohannes Vermeer
Tom WilkinsonPieter Van Ruijven
Cillian MurphyPieter
Judy ParfittMaria Thins
Essie DavisCatharina Bolnes Vermeer
Joanna ScanlanTanneke
Gabrielle ReidyGriet's Mother
Chris McHallemGriet's Father
Alakina MannCornelia Vermeer

Recommendations

100
The New Yorker
Look closely at Johansson...an immaculate period performance. [15 December 2003, p. 119]
90
The Hollywood Reporter
This is an art film in spades.
90
Variety
An intelligent, visually ravishing adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel.
83
Entertainment Weekly
The actress (Scarlett Johansson) gives a nearly silent performance, yet the interplay on her face of fear, ignorance, curiosity, and sex is intensely dramatic.
80
The A.V. Club
Webber displays a great sense of understatement and a keen eye for careful framing, with cinematographer Eduardo Serra beautifully re-creating Vermeer's signature play of shadow and light.
80
L.A. Weekly
Webber spins a slight but considerably enchanting tale of impossible romance and artistic discovery.
75
ReelViews
One of those films that does many things right, and that places it among the year's best period pieces. It's a cut above the usual BBC costume drama.
70
Village Voice
Wide-eyed, open-mouthed, and silently beseeching, she's (Johansson) even more a screen for projection here than in "Lost in Translation"; surrounded by a gaggle of over-actors, she glows with understatement.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Synopsis

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Cast

Recommendations

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