Tuesday 17 October 2017

Film: 'Loving Vincent'

I so much regret struggling to keep awake during this - though I must stress that it had nothing at all to do with the film itself, rather due to my body-clock which has gone totally haywire on my sleep patterns recently. If I'd maintained the desired alertness there's little doubt that I'd be rating it higher than I have.

A joint Polish/British film (in English), this is a visually unique experience - yes, it really is exactly that. Set one year after the death, a suspected suicide, of Vincent Van Gogh in 1891, a young man (Douglas Booth) has been given a sealed letter written by the late artist (Robert Gulaczyk) addressed to his younger brother, Theo, the carrier wishing to deliver it to its addressee in person, not realising that Theo Van Gogh had himself died a few months earlier. When discovering this he uses the letter as a pretext to investigate the circumstances of Vincent's demise, and in particular, the reason for the suicide, mysterious in it having taken place when witnesses say that he'd been in high spirits just before the event. He talks to a number of people who knew him or had a fleeting acquaintance.

A number of familiar names appear in the cast, among them Jerome Flynn, Chris O'Dowd, Saoirse Ronan, John Sessions - all featuring in supporting roles without major significant screen time. 

Now for the unique aspect. Most of the film consists of animated sequences, close to the painting style of Van Gogh, achieved through the hand-painting in oils of some 65,000 frames by a veritable army of film artists. The results are most impressive. These sequences are interspersed with black and white nearer-reality sections which are still given an artificial hand-drawn quality. In both types of creation the identity of the actor portraying the particular character depicted wasn't always straight-forward, but that was no great loss.

The story itself is simple enough, the investigation into what caused Van Gogh to take his own life - if indeed he did. 

It's a good film, I did recognise that, at least. It also doesn't require great knowledge of the artist and his life, or indeed of his works - though the latter would help in appreciating the animations.

I think that if I'd managed to hold my attention without it flagging I may have given this film a rating of perhaps '7', but I've got to judge it through my own flawed receptivity. I'm pretty sure that in any case I wouldn't have awarded it less than..................6.5.






12 comments:

  1. You are a brave man going to see this film. I thought, ah the life of Vincent, when I saw the film was on locally, and then I saw it was all like an oil painting animation and I thought, no, I can't see this. I have read the letters that Vincent exchanged with his brother Theo. I did not feel I could stomach an animation of Vincent's story. I may be wrong and even after reading your review I am not sure whether I have made the right decision, but I am sticking to it.

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    1. I didn't share your own qualms about seeing it, Rachel, though I can appreciate how you feel - so no 'bravery' on my part.
      I know no more about the artist than the average person - well, perhaps just a little bit more - though have nothing like your own acquaintance of his life and works.
      It maybe helped for me not possessing anything like the same visceral response to the visual arts generally as I get from literature and music, so I had no problem with the animations. It sounds like you have a great respect for Van Gogh which I wish I could participate in, but I don't. My loss I'm sure. You undoubtedly also have more knowledge of the subject.
      I can't press you to go and see it as it may well realise your anticipated consternation, but as far as I was concerned, it was worthwhile. Only wish I'd been in a more amenable state at the time.

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  2. The film sounds kind of interesting. I do like Van Gogh and the visuals sound like they would be worth the effort of seeing it. I will be sure to be well-rested when I go. :)

    I also wanted to thank you for taking the time to visit my website and making comments. I appreciate greatly! I hope you make it a habit.

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    1. It's very different from anything done before, TGA, and for that reason alone is deserving to be tried. I may well go again when not in a sleep-deprived state.

      Finding your blog has been a true discovery for me, I just don't know what took me so long. The pleasure is heavily on my side - and I most certainly do intend to keep it in my regular routine.

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    2. The Gay Almanac is relatively new... I just started it last month. We are still growing. I used to have another blog... Running with Blue Sponge. Perhaps you remember it. This is a new venture and am hoping it eventually warrants being listed on your blog list. Thanks again for your support!

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    3. Didn't realise it was so new, TGA (obviously!), which explains a lot. I don't recall your 'Blue Sponge' blog, but your new one was entered on my own bloglist a few days ago. Wishing you lotsa luck in attracting a large readership.

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    4. Thanks so much for the well wishes... I don't mean to be a pain, but TGA is not appearing on your website bloglist as far as I can see. Am I missing it or not able to see it somehow? Confused. Cheers!

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    5. Should be there now, TGA. It was appearing on my own screen list but I hadn't 'configured' it (oh these computer terms!). Hope it's now appearing on yours. Sorry about that!

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  3. I will certainly make a point of seeing this if I can. I love Van Gogh's art. Don't know if "love" is the right word but it will have to do. Admire? Respect? No, I'll stick with "love".

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    1. I can reassure you on the film's title, Judith, which I also didn't care for until I was enightened. It refers to nothing more than the perfectly normal way the artist used to sign off his letters - "Your loving Vincent".
      But if the opportunity comes your way to see the film, do seize it.

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  4. The idea of the visuals make we want to see this, but the idea of Saoirse Ronan makes me wanna run and see it.
    I love her.

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    1. Even if no one with 'a name' was in this film it still merits a look because of its originality, Bob. I hope it comes your way.

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