Rating: 
Summary: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Review: Girl with a Pearl Earring is a fictionalized account of what lead the artist Vermeer to paint the painting of the same name. The real events around the painting are unknown, so the movie is all conjecture. That being said, it is a plausible story. Griet, as a teenager, goes to work for Vermeer's family as a maid. Her parents cannot support her and this is how she is to take care of herself. Vermeer himself is the only member of the family that actually likes her, and she often helps him prepare his painting supplies as well as cleans his studio. Van Rujiven, Vermeer's patron develops an overly strong liking to Griet, and eventually commissions a painting of her which leads to a very tense household. Fine acting all around fills this interesting story of what could have been behind the creation of this painting.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but...
Review: At least I wasn't the woman five rows down with a snoring husband on her hands....Instead I was the woman who, upon leaving the theatre, didn't quite know how to feel about this film. After reading all of the glowing reviews for it, though, I must say that I feel rather guilty for not rating it as highly. Understand, I have no set criterea for what makes a good movie, really. If it touches me or entertains me, if it shows me something I've never seen before or perhaps teaches me something, it was worth the time and money spent. In all honesty, I'm not sure that I can say that 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' did any of those things. The main reason for seeing it, I must admit, was to watch Colin Firth. He's a fine and compelling--not to mention often underrated--actor. And he has a wonderful knack for pulling off period characters. Plus, he does 'brooding' very well. And the second reason for seeing it was for its theme/concept. I love speculative fiction that involves art, though I've never read the novel upon which this movie is based. For the first reason I was paid back in spades. For the second...not so much. The movie's backdrop was spectacular. As other's have noted, the color and the light were just beautiful. A particular scene comes to mind--when Griet is walking with the butcher's son through what I suppose was some kind of park or forested area and the light was golden and subdued--and it was just so surreal and evocative...I felt like I could touch it as though that one scene was nothing more than a still, a canvas with paint that had been applied so lush and thick. But exquisite scenery couldn't help the pacing and even though the story needed to build slowly, it grew a bit tedious. Especially since a lot of the film is caught in some kind of hush. There is very little dialogue and even music is used sparingly. There is no denying the intimacy between Vermeer as portrayed by Firth and Griet. It was lovely to watch. But...I guess, for me, it wasn't enough that that intimacy stood as the substance of the film. By the time it drew to its conclusion, my companion was frustrated by its lack of, well, a conclusion. It is very open-ended and you are left to your own devices in figuring out what road Griet has taken. You are not entirely sure where it is ending and what has happened to many of the players. As I understand it, the book finishes a little bit more definitely than the film. For some, the obscurity of the ending could be a little bit of a put off. I wouldn't say that one should not see this movie. Though I can't say I would recommend it heartily either. I know that once the credits were scrolling by I felt nothing. I had no immediate response (which was odd because I thought I surely would) and I couldn't have given anyone a definite "yes, I liked it" or "no, I didn't" if they were to ask me right then. Perhaps my expectations were just too high.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but an excruciating wait for the key scene
Review: I'm a Colin Firth fan. I'm a Scarlett Johansson fan. I figured "Girl With a Pearl Earring" would be a slam-dunk. At times though, watching 'Pearl' is like watching the paint dry on one of Vermeer's 35 paintings. I can appreciate the intelligent take on things. And, I understand about the need to set up the dramatic tension in the household and the repressed sexual chemistry between Griet and Vermeer. But not having Firth not utter his first word until 30 minutes into the film seems to be a waste of his talents, as does garbing him in an ill-fitting wig. The money shot is getting Johansson into the 'Pearl Earring' model pose. When the moment finally arrives, it's electric stuff. Without any specific effects at all, Johansson is the spitting image of Vermeer's original model. My protestations to the contrary, seeing that one moment of the film is worth the wait and the money.
Rating: 
Summary: Repressed love perfected by Firth & Johansson...
Review: Before seeing it, the film seems straightforward. Just about a girl with pearl earring in her ear lobe, right? No. The film tries to look deeper into Vermeer's stunning painting by offering Chevalier's interpretation of who the young girl was. However, where the film succeeds is flexibly creating a tentative but emotionally explosive relationship between master and servant - Firth and Johansson. Set in 17th century in the Netherlands, the film begins calmly, carefully unravelling itself to the viewer so that one can absorb it visually and mentally. The pace can be seen as slow but this type of film needs that type of pace to make it work because if it was fast, how could we as the viewers enjoy the tentative, innocent and beautiful love that Griet and Vermeer share? Scarlett Johansson plays Griet, the quiet and demure Dutch maid that invokes anger, jealousy and confusion in Catherina's heart (Essie Davis) while indirectly capturing Johannes Vermeer's attention (Colin Firth) and Master van Ruijven sleazy eye (acted with pure sinisterness by Tom Wilkinson). In one aspect, what ensues makes the film very good in my eyes because it portrays the issues of the impressive supporting cast such as Cornelia's blatant antagonism towards Griet, Catherina's undeniable envy and Pieter's unrequited interest in Griet while simultaneously using them as a platform to present the perfect example of repressed love between two people who know that they are worlds apart. Johansson was simply magnificent in this film. I will be surprised and annoyed if she does not get an Oscar nomination because she played this part with such precision, it is hard to see another woman who could match her emotive performance. Firth always delivers but this time, he was sublime. Like Johansson in terms of intensity, Firth was outstanding as the pensive but caring painter who appeared as if he was preoccupied with a certain someone. The brilliance of this film does not only stem from the actors, the cinematography is a visual feast for the eyes and the soundtrack fits the shy mood of the film. Slight apprehension before walking into the cinema. Delight after enjoying it, Frustration that Firth & Johansson are meant to be but as fate wants, do not find their way to each other.
Rating:
Summary: "Pearl Earring" Is A Gem (4.5 OUT OF 5)
Review: The year is 1665, and 17-year-old Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is forced out into the job market in Delft, Holland, after an accident at her father's pottery studio leaves him blind and unable to support the family. After little searching, she is employed as a common maid in the household of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), a master painter. Although Vermeer posesses impeccable talent, his painstakingly slow process for his art strains on his family of ten children (soon to be eleven) and haughty wife Catharina (Essie Davis), who are dependent on his meager salary. Although they teeter on the edge of poverty, they continue to mantain their lavish lifestyle under the roof of Catharina's mother, Maria (Judy Parfitt). Griet is subsequently thrown into this caustic mix, and soon attracts the attention of the reclusive painter, who struggles to find a subject for his next work. Her notice of detail, color, shadow, and her ability to see beyond the paint and challenge him quickly makes her the object of Vermeer's inspiration and obsession. Vermeer's patron, Master van Ruijvin (Tom Wilkinson), who notices their relationship, proposes for Vermeer to paint a portrait of Griet, and with the green light from Maria, the two carry on under Catharina's nose in the secretive attic studio. Along with the attention from Vermeer and van Ruijven, Griet is also noticed by Pieter (Cillian Murphy), a butcher's son, and much drama ensues, culminating in one of the greatest, and most mysterious paintings ever created. In terms of acting, "Girl With A Pearl Earring" certainly showcases Scarlett Johansson, one of today's most promising young stars, as the innocent and intelligent Griet. Painfully beautiful, her luminosity shines near through the film, and her lines, while few, are full of realistic feeling and emotion. Colin Firth does a fine job as the restrained Vermeer, and his brooding eyes, slighted speech, and slower movements truly capture the character. As a supporting cast, Tom Wilkinson is irresistably slimy, Essie Davis shines in her role as Vermeer's bitter wife, and Alakina Mann, who made her debut in 2001's "The Others" is amazing as Cornelia, Vermeer's oldest daughter, who tortures Griet. The thing that intrigues me about this film was the script. With nearly no dialogue, it shows how a look, movement, or sound can convey an entire mood or give the plot direction. Characters are succesfully developed, conflict is raised, and resolution is searched for, all with minimal words, which, in my opinion, is exactly the technique needed for this movie. Overall, this is truly one of the most beautiful films of the year, with not only the script, but in particular the sets cinematography. The dark, bustling streets of 17th century Holland are amazingly shot, and the camera captures light, movement, and use of shadow so perfectly, it almost rivals one of Vermeer's paintings. It transitions from spring to summer to the swirling snows of wintertime seamlessly, which does nothing but add to the splendor onscreen. The acting is superb, the cinematography jaw-dropping, and the script a lasting tribute to the mystery behind Vermeer's canvas.
Rating:
Summary: A visual delight
Review: I just saw "Girl With a Pearl Earring" this afternoon. I was thoroughly entertained with the fictional story of behind Vermeer's painting of a young girl with a pear earring. Normally I am not really big on period pieces but I was completely engrossed through out the film. It makes up for the shoddy film "Carnage" I saw last weekend. "Girl With Pearl Earring" stars Scarlett Johansson (my favorite actress at the moment) as Griet, the object of Johanne Vermeer's (Colin Firth) painting. I haven't read the novel written by Tracy Chevalier but now that I have seen the film, I have this compelling urge to read the book now. Anyways, Griet is a young peasant girl who is forced to make a living for her family because her father was maimed in a serious accident as a tile maker. She is sent to work as a maid for the Vermeer household. Colin Firth looked absolutely gorgeous as Johanne Vermeer despite the grungey look he had going in the movie. Like Johansson, Firth put in a stellar performance as Vermeer. The supporting cast of Tom Wilkinson as master patron Van Ruijven, Judy Parfitt as Maria Thins, Jo Scanlan as Tanneke (the other maid), Cillian Murphy (Griet's boyfriend), and Essie Davis as the insecure and control freak wife Catherina were equally compelling to say the very least. I loved the sinister daughter Cornelia (played by Alakina Mann). Although she didn't say much in the movie, her actions spoke louder than words. One couldn't help but feel pity for Vermeer who appeared to be emotionally beaten down by his insecure wife Catherina. Perhaps that is how Peter Webb intended for Vermeer. The cinematography by Eduardo Serra was excellent. The dark, moody cinematography fit the mood of the film. The costumes and the entire set of the film was equally wonderful. I guess if there was a flaw with the film is the minimal dialogue but I wasn't really bothered by that. It enhanced the mood of the film in my opinion. I loved "Girl With a Pearl Earring". It is another reason to love Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Touching Fictional Account of Art & Love in 1665.
Review: In Delft, Holland, 1665, a young peasant woman named Griet (Scarlett Johansson) goes to work as a maid in the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth). Although she cannot read or write, Griet's appreciation of color, light and composition stirs Vermeer from his isolation and brooding disposition, and Griet's face and daily chores become subjects of his paintings. As Griet and Vermeer's attraction to one another becomes obvious, his wife Catharina (Essie Davis) and mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt) develop strong but disparate opinions of Griet's place in the household. Little is known about the painter Johannes Vermeer, and nothing is known about the young woman who is the subject of his portrait "Girl with a Pearl Earring". But the inscrutable expression on her face inspired author Tracy Chevalier to write a fictional account of how the painting came to be. "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is based on Chevalier's novel of the same name. It has been adapted for the screen by Olivia Hetreed and directed by Peter Webber. It's pure historical fiction. This is a beautiful, quiet film about love, jealousy, and life's realities. The story is small; it concerns the emotions of the people in one household. Not much actually "happens" in the concrete sense. The story's events and its arc are primarily emotional. There is relatively little dialogue, and Griet, being a domestic servant, speaks even less than the other characters. Scarlett Johansson is left to convey her feelings with facial expressions. Sometimes this works better than others. There are moments in this film where Johansson seems to be trying too hard. It's not terrible, but it could be better. On the other hand, when Griet speaks, Johansson is spot-on. The supporting performances are all exceptional. Essie Davis effectively evokes the audience's antipathy as Vermeer's insecure and demanding wife. Judy Parfitt steals every scene she is in as the imposing, pragmatic head of household. Tom Wilkinson is simultaneously aristocratic and sleazy as Vermeer's wealthy patron Van Ruijven. And Colin Firth reveals the passion, intelligence, and frustration that seethes just below the fictional Vermeer's surface. Even as these performances are a pleasure to watch, "Girl with a Pearl Earring"'s cinematography and production design are moreso. Eduardo Serra's beautiful cinematography within the closed spaces of the Vermeer household is simply the best of 2003. Ben van Os' production design, with art direction from Christina Schaffer, bathes this film in the subdued yet crisp colors of Vermeer's paintings and brings this household to life with details that seem so real that I wished I could touch them. "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is a story of personal proportions. Yet its quiet beauty and fine performances make every frame a pleasure to watch. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: When film about Art becomes Art: An Homage
Review: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING was a dazzling novel by Tracy Chevalier, an achievement so stunning that artists, art historians, art lovers and readers all willingly sacrificed historic accuracy for the illuminating insight on how a painting comes into being. Now Peter Webber with the help of his screenwriters has enhanced the novel and made visual all the magic the book contained and more. The story is so well known by now that rehashing the plot seems pointless. This is simply a take on how Vermeer created a mysteriously beautiful portrait of a young girl in his studio, a painting that though small, holds all of the magic of light source, absorption, and reflection that became the hallmark of the great Dutch master painter. Though the story is minimal it is the cinematography/picture composition that is the main feature here. Care is given to the exteriors of Delft (as staged in Luxembourg) to be cold and misty, making the interior shots all the more claustrophobic and intimate and lighted only by candle or by the limited light from leaded glass windows. This is a movie that would be thoroughly understood even if the soundtrack were lost. But that is not giving importance to the actors who people this painting come to life. Colin Firth as Vermeer says little with his lips but says vistas with his eyes: this is a sensitive understated performance. The wearer of the earring is Scarlett Johansson as Griet and she brings to her role a physical beauty of face and presence that make this version of how Vermeer created his 28 masterpieces believable. As a maid in Vermeer's house she is under the scrutiny of Vermeer's ever-pregnant wife (an excellent Essie Davis) and even more controlled by the presence of Vermeer's mother-in-law - the wondrous Judy Parfitt who is so elegant in her Elizabethan type white collar over her black gowns that she begs to be a painting Vermeer never did! Tom Wilkinson adds credence to Vermeer's patron and Cillian Murphy receives all the benefits of Griet's coming into the knowledge of ecstasy as her butcher boyfriend, a lad with penetrating blue eyes and brusque charm. The musical score is most fitting (Alexandre Desplat). This is a treat of the eyes and the mind and sure to become a staple in the libraries of all who love art.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely outstanding!
Review: If you liked the novel you are going to love this movie. I personally didn't see how they were going to make an interesting movie out of the book, even though I liked the book. But I was so very wrong! I was amazed by this film--quietly soulful and surprisingly powerful. The screenwriter director, art designer, and everyone else involved did a first rate job and you can really sense that it was a labor of love. The ending is subtle and amazing. Art lovers, especially, are going to be blown away by this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Work of Art (4.4 on a scale of 1 to 5)
Review: "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is a work of art both thematically and literally. This movie is one of the most beautifully photographed and lit that I have ever seen (and I have seen a lot of movies!) In addition, the performances are subtle, nuanced and ultimately overwhelming. The movie takes place in mid-17th century Holland. Griet, a 15-year old girl from a proud but recently impoverished family, takes a job as a maid with the family of Johannes Vermeer, the painter. The family has a well-defined cast of characters: Johannes(or Jan) played by a smoldering Colin Firth, whose art takes precedence over anything in his life, including food and heat for his family; his beautiful but silly wife who lives for her jewels; his many children; and his mother-in-law/sales agent, who will do anything to keep selling his paintings. The Vermeer family depends on the good graces of their patron, played by a wicked Tom Wilkinson, who commissions and collects Jan's paintings. Griet has an artist's eye-for example, she is concerned about dusting the windows and changing the light-and slowly, very slowly, Vermeer begins to appreciate her gifts. His patron notices her beauty and commissions a painting of her (with the hope that Griet will thank him in kind). The interplay between Griet (an outstanding Scarlett Johansson) and Vermeer simmers with erotic tension. Nothing much happens-their hands briefly touch, they are beneath a blanket together-but then again a lot happens. I would recommend this movie to lovers of art and lovers of art house movies. If you're not used to or a fan of "artsy movies", well this may not be for you. But if you are, well you're in for a treat.
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