Rembrandt
1999 Biography / Drama / History
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Credits
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Summary
The great painter Rembrandt van Rijn looks back on his life with regret. His talent
and passion for art brought him fame and wealth. He married and, for a while, he
was as happy as any man could be. How could he possibly imagine the ruin and hardship
that future times would bring him…?
Review
One subject which consistently evades a satisfactory cinematic interpretation is the biography
of a famous artist. This portrayal of the life and work of the Dutch painter Rembrandt
is yet another illustration of this, although it does at least capture the style of the
artist’s work and draw some sympathy from his life. The film was directed by Charles
Matton, a comparatively unknown filmmaker who has given us only four full-length films
in a career spanning more than thirty years. Matton’s very individual approach is
not suited for all tastes and his study of the life of Rembrandt is not his most accessible
work – it’s cold, slow, lacking in emotion and painfully fragmented. The film’s
main selling point is the way its visual style mirrors the instantly recognisable style
of Rembrandt’s work. Whilst there’s very little by way of drama to sustain our interest,
the photography is spellbindingly beautiful.
© James Travers 2007 Write a review for this film... |
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