Brush With Fate
2003
There are only thirty-five original paintings in the world by 17th century artist Johannes Vermeer - but could there be a thirty-sixth? Cornelia Englebrecht, an eccentric school teacher, possesses that priceless work of art and decides to share its history with a fellow teacher whom she introduces to her father. Dark secrets .. Read more
| Starring | Glenn Close, Ellen Burstyn, Thomas Gibson, Phyllida Law |
|---|---|
| Director | Brent Shields |
| Genres | Drama |
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Brush With Fate
There are only thirty-five original paintings in the world by 17th century artist Johannes Vermeer - but could there be a thirty-sixth? Cornelia Englebrecht, an eccentric school teacher, possesses that priceless work of art and decides to share its history with a fellow teacher whom she introduces to her father. Dark secrets appear as the secrets of past owners unfold...
| Starring | Glenn Close, Ellen Burstyn, Thomas Gibson, Phyllida Law, Kelly MacDonald, Richard Russo |
|---|---|
| Director | Brent Shields |
| Studio | METRODOME DISTRIBUTION |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 44 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 21 Jun 2008 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
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Most helpful member's review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
A sumptuous period tele-movie.
You might be disappointed when at the beginning of 'Brush With Fate' you observe the look and feel of a schmalzy USA 'telemovie' - the sort of thing you might catch late at night on BBC2 or Ch4. You might also be disappointed to find that Glenn Close and Thomas Gibson play small roles in the film, at its start and at its end. You might be disappointed again when half an hour in you realize that this film is largely a series of tableaux, a series of tales about what happened to a particular lost painting, by Vermeer.
However, the cumulative effect of the entire film is considerable. You are left with a profound thought - one that is not easily dismissed, or ought not to be. Glenn Close's performance, though small, is responsible for this.
The other great plus of the film is its depiction of life in Vermeer's Holland. How much of Holland's history and old ways of life do we know or ever get to see? The attention to visual detail in 'Brush with Fate' is extraordinary for a US film - never mind a US telemovie. It is practically 'Merchant Ivory'. The music is luscious too and the acting superb: virtually the entire (and enormous) cast consists of fine Dutch actors. (So it is a Dutch tale, set in Holland, performed by an excellent Dutch cast, but lavishly funded by a US company.)
In brief: beautiful to watch; with a profound final message; and a fine but small performance from Glenn Close. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
A sumptuous period tele-movie.
You might be disappointed when at the beginning of 'Brush With Fate' you observe the look and feel of a schmalzy USA 'telemovie' - the sort of thing you might catch late at night on BBC2 or Ch4. You might also be disappointed to find that Glenn Close and Thomas Gibson play small roles in the film, at its start and at its end. You might be disappointed again when half an hour in you realize that this film is largely a series of tableaux, a series of tales about what happened to a particular lost painting, by Vermeer.
However, the cumulative effect of the entire film is considerable. You are left with a profound thought - one that is not easily dismissed, or ought not to be. Glenn Close's performance, though small, is responsible for this.
The other great plus of the film is its depiction of life in Vermeer's Holland. How much of Holland's history and old ways of life do we know or ever get to see? The attention to visual detail in 'Brush with Fate' is extraordinary for a US film - never mind a US telemovie. It is practically 'Merchant Ivory'. The music is luscious too and the acting superb: virtually the entire (and enormous) cast consists of fine Dutch actors. (So it is a Dutch tale, set in Holland, performed by an excellent Dutch cast, but lavishly funded by a US company.)
In brief: beautiful to watch; with a profound final message; and a fine but small performance from Glenn Close. -
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Brush With Fate
There are only thirty-five original paintings in the world by 17th century artist Johannes Vermeer - but could there be a thirty-sixth? Cornelia Englebrecht, an eccentric school teacher, possesses that priceless work of art and decides to share its history with a fellow teacher whom she introduces ...
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