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$44.98 - Girl With a Pearl Earring [VHS]
Product DescriptionYou wouldn't think a movie could look like a Vermeer painting, but Girl with a Pearl Earring is filmed with an amazing range of luminous glows that evoke the Dutch artist's masterworks. Of course, it helps that much of the movie centers on Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, Ghost World), whose creamy skin and full lips have a luminosity of their own. Johansson plays Griet, a maid in the household of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth, Bridget Jones' Diary, Fever Pitch), who finds herself in a web of jealousy, artistic inspiration, and social machinations. Though the pace is slow, Girl with a Pearl Earring genuinely conveys some sense of an artist's process, as well as offering many chaste yet sensual moments between Firth and Johansson. Also featuring Essie Davis as Vermeer's bitter wife and Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) as a wealthy patron with eyes for Griet. --Bret Fetzer
Most Recent Customer ReviewsDate : 2010-01-23
Summary : Stunning to look at...
"Girl with a Pearl Earring" was up for lots of awards, which prompted me to find out what was so special. Indeed, it's a feast for the eyes and ears. Music, costumes, sets and glorious widescreen photography capture so very much of the period. Hyped as about the life of Johannes Vermeer, it's really about Griet (a lovely Scarlett Johanssen) and her role as a servant in Vanmeer's household. In the hands of director Peter Webber, the visuals take precedence to an otherwise mundane story. The acting is impeccable. Scarlett is completely in touch, and excellent performances from Essie Davis (as the wife) and Judy Parfitt (as her mother) are complete and rife with issues. Colin Firth, as Vanmeer, is moody and broody; I was rather annoyed with his character for being such a wimp. Also, excellent support from Tom Wilkinson (snakey, evil charm) and Cillian Murphy (never looked better). The film is never boring, but the plot is simple, ad Griet's angst, charm and renewal are well handled. Still, it'll be hard to find a prettier film to watch. Visually, it's period pitch-perfect and Alexandre Desplat's score is dreamy as a Vermeer painting. Worth a look.
Date : 2009-12-02
Summary : Beauty, love, & tenderness
Don't expect a factual recount of VerMeer's life or of the circumstances surrounding the painting of the Girl with the Pearl Earring.
Do expect a beautifully told story with great acting - how can you beat Colin Firth & Scarlett Johansson.
Do expect beautiful costumes, sets and lighting.
Do expect compelling emotional involvment with the characters.
MUST SEE for any artist - marvelous directing with many offerings of diverse inspirating views - be it abstract, portrait, still life or landscape!
BUY THIS movie if you enjoy entertaiment for the sake of being entertained - a brief escape from the grind of the world.
BUY THIS movie if you enjoy beauty.
This movie is NOT for those expecting MEGA-action. This is NOT for those who cannot appreciate subtlety in relationships. This is probably not for anyone who doesn't look past the focal point of the frame immediately on the screen.
Date : 2009-11-07
Summary : fabulous
The imagery in this movie evokes the atmosphere of the old dutch paintings. The pace is meditative and the pictures breathe and come to life... Bewitching...
A remarkable work.
Date : 2009-09-03
Summary : defective
I am very displeased with the DVD GIRL WITH A PEARL ERRING. I purchased a used DVD that had a gaurantee in good condition on it. It played great until almost the end. Then stuck and dragged through until the ending without a voice.
Date : 2009-05-05
Summary : 3 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:
An impressive adaptation of Chevalier's novel that (for my money) does many things better than the book, Girl With a Pearl Earring resists any urges to amplify the book's quiet drama and instead turns in a subtly effective little story.
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