Vincent & Theo **** (1990, Tim Roth, Paul Rhys, Adrian Brine) – Classic Movie Review 6906

Director Robert Altman’s fascinating 1990 film biopic study of the relationship between Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo is distinguished by star Tim Roth, who brings a coarse tortured physicality to his role as the great painter.

Paul Rhys, too, is admirable as constrained, practical Theo, who helps him out practically by supporting him financially, while Altman directs with masterful poise, treating the story with the respect it deserves.

In many ways this is a harsh, unsentimental film, yet its focus on the seamier side of Van Gogh’s life somehow makes the paintings he created seem all the more special.

Vincent & Theo was planned as a four-hour mini-series for the BBC, but Altman and writer Julian Mitchell cut it down to 140 minutes for the cinema by focusing on Van Gogh’s final years. Nevertheless, there is also a 204 minute mini-series version of four episodes.

It is interesting to compare with Lust for Life (1958), Maurice Pialat’s 1991 Van Gogh, and Loving Vincent (2017) also. Van Gogh continues to fascinate us.

Also in the cast are Johanna Ter Steege, Wladimir Yordanoff, Jip Wijngaarden, Anne Canovas, Hans Kesting, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Adrian Brine.

Vincent & Theo is directed by Robert Altman, runs 140 minutes, is produced by Belbo, Arena, Central, La Sept, Telepool, RAI Uno, Vara and Sofica Valor, is written by Julian Mitchell, is shot by Jean Lepine, is produced by Ludi Boeken, and is scored by Gabriel Yared.

Art students were paid to reproduce Van Gogh’s art.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6906

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