Where Arts Collide – Movies About Artists – “Frida”

Salma Hayek as Frida KahloThe IMDB (Internet Movie Database) describes the film “Frida” as “a biography of artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work.” Critics generally found “Frida” (2002) to be visually exciting and emotionally stimulating. Director Julie Taymor certainly went to great lengths to bring authenticity to the movie, filming it entirely in Mexico, and for everyone on the project it was a labor of love. Salma Hayak and Alfred Molina delivered outstanding performances as Frida and Diego, and all members of the supporting cast were excellent. Most noteworthy were Roger Rees, as Frida’s father, Guillermo Kahlo, and Geoffrey Rush as Leon Trotsky.

Where Arts Collide – Movies About Artists – “Pollock”

Ed Harris as Jackson PollockThe IMDB (Internet Movie Database) describes the film “Pollock” (2000) as, “a film about the life and career of the American painter, Jackson Pollock” (1912-1956). In truth, the movie only covers a brief period in the artist’s later life—however it does so brilliantly. Ed Harris directed “Pollock” and also plays the title character in the film. His performance was enhanced by the close physical resemblance he bears to the artist, and by the lengths he took to prepare for the role. Harris read everything he could get his hands on about Pollock, talked to many people who knew the artist, and also set up a studio so he could practice painting in Pollock’s. He truly immersed himself in the role.

Critics largely admired the film for its depiction of the creative process in action, however they felt it fell short of giving us insights into Pollock the person. However, WAA doesn’t agree with that consensus. Pollock himself gave us very few insights into himself, and that’s one of the key points of the film. In an interview, Harris described Pollock as “almost pathologically shy” (except when he was drinking) and that concurs with everything with know about the artist. But there are many issues not touched on in the movie.

During the first sixteen years of his life, Pollock’s family moved eleven times. Alcoholism had long been a struggle for the artist—and he underwent psychiatric treatment for it, beginning in 1937. In 1938, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was institutionalized for four months. He was very heavily influenced by both Jungian symbolism and Surrealism—and by such artists as Picasso, Miró, and José Clemente Orozco.

Jackson Pollock paintingFrom 1939 through 1941, Pollock was in treatment with two successive Jungian psychoanalysts who used the artist’s own drawings in their therapy sessions. Pollack was a WPA Federal Art project artist during the latter years of the Great Depression, and his work was most definitely influenced by Thomas Hart Benton, under whom he studied at the Art Students League. (The film denies any such influence.)

“Pollock” also portrays the artist as executing his “drip paintings” in an almost frenzied way. In truth, he often alternated weeks of painting with weeks of contemplation before finishing a canvas. Despite these omissions, however, the film does give us a believable portrait of the artist’s life from about 1947 until his death. 

Marcia Gay Harden delivers a remarkable performance as Pollock’s wife, Lee Krasner. But the film suggests that Krasner had less time for her own career, because she was so involved in promoting her husband. Such was not the case. Pollock and Krasner both actively pursued their art during their married years, and the influence they had on one another was immense and reciprocal. It’s also important to note that Lee Krasner was one of the few artists to have a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Where Arts Collide – Movies About Artists – “Girl With A Pearl Earring”

What About Art? will be presenting monthly posts that discuss movies made about artists. Our goal will be to offer up our own review of each film—and to separate the facts from the fiction. 

“Girl With A Pearl Earring” - Theatrical Release Poster (click photo for larger image)First up is “Girl With A Pearl Earring” (2003), directed by Peter Weber and starring Scarlett Johanssen, Colin Firth, and Tom Wilkinson. The screenplay by Olivia Hetreed was adapted from a wonderful novel of the same name, by Tracy Chevalier. The story is focused on a beautiful young maid (Griet) employed by the family of the 17^th century master, Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675).

Troubles erupt when she becomes his studio assistant, and the model for what would become one of the artist’s most famous paintings. Interestingly, the actual painting is in very poor condition, and has suffered from numerous and extensive restorations—and is marred by an “ugly pattern of cracks”. Nevertheless, it became famous after its rediscovery and was dubbed the "Gioconda of the North" (in reference to Leonardo’s “Mona Lisa”) by enthusiastic critics.

Thankfully, enough of the original work remains for it to be recognized as an outstanding work—and mysterious enough to inspire the book and movie. Critics were somewhat divided when the film opened. Most agreed that the performances were excellent, and that the film was beautifully shot. But the consensus of both critics and the audience suggests that the pace was too slow, and that Firth’s acting abilities weren’t put to their best use.

We disagree. WAA sees the pace of the film as a metaphor for the way Vermeer painted—slowly, thoughtfully, and meticulously—and also mirrors his palette. So for us, both the look and the pace of the film work exactly as they should.

Johannes Vermeer - Girl with a Pearl Earring - c. 1665 - Oil on canvas, 46,5 x 40 cm Mauritshuis, The Hague (click photo for larger image)SPOILERS FOLLOW. It is important to remember that the movie is not a biobic (nor is the book a biography). This is pure fiction. For example, there was no “ Griet” in the Vermeer household. The sitter for the painter was probably either one of  the daughters of Vermeer or Pieter an Ruijven. There was, indeed, a maid named Tanneke (played by Joanna Scanlan in the film), whose likeness can be found in several of the artist’s paintings. Van Ruijven, (portrayed by Tom Wilkinson) was one of Vermeer’s patrons. But there is nothing in scholarship to suggest that he was the lecherous man depicted in the film.

The characters of Vermeer’s wife, Catharina (played by Essie Davis) and her mother, Maria Thins (portrayed by Judy Parfitt) depart dramatically from reality. In truth, both women were very supportive of Vermeer’s artistic endeavors—and both modeled for him. Some scholars feel that the movie was unfair to both of these women, who endured terrible abuses when they were younger at the hands of Maria’s husband and son. (There’s definitely a story to be told there!) But “The Girl With A Pearl Earring” is fiction, folks. WAA suggests that you enjoy this lovely film (and the original novel) from that perspective.