Girl with a Pearl Earring **** (2003, Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson) – Classic Movie Review 1665

Director Peter Webber’s civilised 2003 drama stars Scarlett Johansson as the Dutch maid Griet who becomes the model for 17th-century artist Dutch master Johannes Vermeer (1632-75), played by Colin Firth.

Olivia Hetreed‘s literate screenplay for this highly imaginative, fanciful biopic is based on a novel by Tracy Chevalier, who carefully and intelligently develops her story from the little that is known about the painter. In the story, wealthy Van Ruijven, who is Vermeer’s sole means of support, commissions him to paint Griet, intending to have her for himself before the painting is finished. 

This beautifully played, exquisitely realised movie, with a gorgeous flavour of the times, is perhaps just a tiny a bit dull as drama. But it is triumph for cinematographer Eduardo Serra, whose work reflects the painter’s in terms of use of light, and production designer Ben van Ost, whose meticulous re-creation of the time and place is staggering.

It’s quite a little acting feast, too. With few lines to speak, Firth’s underplaying pays off handsomely, the young American actress Johansson (just 18 at the time) is sweet and surprisingly convincing, Tom Wilkinson is lip-smackingly lusty as Vermeer’s rich patron Van Ruijven, Cillian Murphy is a welcome presence as young Pieter and Judy Parfitt is perfectly steely as head of the household, Maria Thins.

Girl with a Pearl Earring is Peter Webber’s impressive feature film debut, receiving nominations for three Academy Awards, two Golden Globes and 10 BAFTAs. It was very unlucky not to win any. Webber next directed Hannibal Rising in 2007.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1665

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