Vincent And Theo Details

1990

Rated:
50
from 477 members

Starring	Tim Roth, Paul Rhys, Jean-Pierre Cassel
Director	Robert Altman
Genres	Drama

Vincent And Theo

A blistering, unsentimental portrait of the great Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, Robert Altman's VINCENT AND THEO focuses on the deeply neurotic relationship between the unstable, impoverished Vincent (Tim Roth) and his art dealer brother, Theo (Paul Rhys). Specifically, the film investigates the role Theo played in providing the normality and connection to the outer world that Vincent lacked--while Vincent, in turn, acted as the living embodiment of Theo's unfulfilled artistic aspirations. In the end, Theo's inability to secure his brother's financial independence and help him achieve a sense of self-worth by selling his paintings caused him a misery almost as profound as Vincent's. As the introverted Vincent, Roth delivers an intensely passionate performance, and Rhys is just as moving as the more reserved Theo. Altman chooses to concentrate on the artist himself, likely providing a deeper insight into the individual than scenes of him painting ever could. VINCENT AND THEO remains an unflinching and powerful interpretation of the life of one of the world's most famous artists.

Starring	Tim Roth, Paul Rhys, Jean-Pierre Cassel
Director	Robert Altman
Studio	PRISM LEISURE
Run time	DVD: 2 hrs 14 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama
Language	DVD: English
Released	DVD: unknown Production year: 1990
Format	DVD

Critics' reviews (4) of Vincent And Theo
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Outlining the last years of painter Vincent van Gogh (Tim Roth), as seen through the eyes of his brother Theodore (Paul Rhys), this is a haunting study in loneliness, obsession and the tough quest for validation in the blinkered art world. Unusual direction by Robert Altman and an intense performance by Roth as the tortured genius make this intimate biopic a thought-provoking look at the nature of the creative impulse as it impacts on family life.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Scripted by Julian Mitchell, this covers much the same period (from Van Gogh's decision to paint full-time to the death... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful member's review of Vincent And Theo
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

A fine film with a superb cast

One maverick artist tackles another as Robert Altman brings the life of Vincent Van Gogh to the screen. Altman bases the film around Vincent's relationship with his brother Theo which lends it an emotional depth it may otherwise have lacked.

Altman opens with the ironic sequence of one of Van Gogh's paintings selling for millions before cutting back to Vincent living in poverty, unrecognised and depressed. It becomes the theme of the film as Vincent strives to be recognised. His brother is supportive and helps Vincent financially as much as he can. The film shows how Theo gave a sense of normality to the neurotic vincent's world and Vincent embodied Theo's frustrated artistic talent.

Paul Rhys is excellent as Theo but the film belongs to the astonishing Tim Roth. Roth is magnificent as Van Gogh, bringing a depth and humanity to a role that would have been easy to overplay. Unfortunately Altman has a tendency to ramble and loses the intensity of the brother's relationship at times. However, the film's excellent cinematography and evocative music make this a drama well worth seeking out.
- - Philip Concannon from London
  - Posted 03 Jun 2004 23:30
Most recent members' review of Vincent And Theo
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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Brave Travesty

This is yet another marred attempt to present the life of one of art's most famous troubled 'geniuses'.

Small attempts to 'put the record straight', such as pointing out that Vincent did not cut off his whole ear, but just the lobe are lost in a mire histrionics. The film is marred by the plot which, by giving more time than usual to Van Gogh's brother Theo, both dilutes the message and also cheapens the film by including gratuitous and sensational information: do we need to know that Theo suffered from syphylis?

However, the saddest aspect of all is the fact that Tim Roth thinks he is in another 'Pulp Fiction', where over-acting is required.
- - JeffreyJohnson from London
  - Posted 12 Jan 2005 16:10
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