Fascinating concept ends in headache.
The world's first fully oil painted feature film, brings the artwork of Vincent van Gogh to life in an exploration of the complicated life and controversial death of one of history's most celebrated artists.
Billed by some as the “first painted film,” which is wrong this is, however the first fully painted oil film. It has been animated in the style of van Gogh’s art, which is a new way to approach his “mysterious death.” The result is less pleasing - the constantly flickering visual hurts ones eyes and is enough to give you a headache. The performances and music are much more pleasing.
The ensemble cast including Chris O’Dowd, Saoirse Ronan, Jerome Flynn and Douglas Booth are excellent. The choice to paint the characters as the actors is unusual - but also makes sense considering the actors performed the scenes prior to the painting (so the art becomes rendered). The script has a solid basis, but becomes repetitive - our protagonist meets someone who knew Vincent and then we get a flashback. That repeats til the end of the film.
Overall one to please art-lovers, but the idea to paint the film is painful for the viewer.
2 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Screening courtesy of Madman Entertainment
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