In association with

Girl With A Pearl Earring [2004]
from Pathe Distribution
starring Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Judy Parfitt, Cillian Murphy
directed by Peter Webber

Features:

• Anamorphic
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

You wouldn't think a movie could look like a Vermeer painting, but Girl with a Pearl Earring is filmed with an amazing range of luminous glows that evoke the Dutch artist's masterworks. Of course, it helps that much of the movie focuses on Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, Ghost World), whose creamy skin and full lips have a luminosity of their own. Johansson plays Griet, a maid in the household of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), who finds herself in a web of jealousy, artistic inspiration, and social machinations. Though the pace is slow, Girl with a Pearl Earring genuinely conveys some sense of an artist's process, as well as offering many chaste yet sensual moments between Firth and Johansson. Also featuring Essie Davis as Vermeer's bitter wife and Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) as a wealthy patron with eyes for Griet. --Bret Fetzer

In order to support her family, seventeen year old Griet becomes a maid in the house of Johannes Vermeer and soon attracts the master painter’s attention. Although worlds apart in upbringing and social standing, Vermeer recognizes her intuitive understanding of his work and slowly draws her into his mysterious world of art and passion.

Whilst she falls increasingly under Vermeer’s spell, his volatile family quickly grows jealous of her. Maria, his shrewd mother-in-law, struggles to maintain the family’s lifestyle, but seeing that Griet inspires Vermeer, takes the decision to let their relationship develop. Van Ruijven, also sensing the intimacy between master and maid, commissions Vermeer to paint Griet’s portrait. The result will be one of the greatest paintings ever created … but at what cost?

• Director’s commentary
  
• Writer’s commentary
  
• Making of featurette
  
• Deleted scenes
  
• Anatomy of a scene
  
• UK theatrical trailer

DVD Technical Information:

• Region Code: 2
  
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen/2.35 Wide Screen
  
• Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired

Set in 17th-century Holland, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING follows the life of Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a young woman who must work as a maid to help her family make ends meet. Seeking employment at the home of renowned painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), Griet finds most of the household, including Vermeer's ever-pregnant wife (Essie Davis) and stern mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), to be difficult and even hostile. However, she does form a unique bond with Vermeer himself, but this connection threatens to cause grief for both Griet and Vermeer. Complicating matters even further is attention from both Vermeer's wealthy patron Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) and the charming local butcher's son (Cillian Murphy).
Adapted from the book by Tracy Chevalier and helmed by first-time director Peter Webber, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING creates a back story for Vermeer's famous painting of the same name. Johansson is excellent in her quiet, understated role, while Firth is suitably moody and enigmatic. However, the visuals are the true highlights of this remarkably photographed movie; Webber and, most notably, cinematographer Eduardo Serra establish a beautifully historic look and film every scene as if it were a series of gorgeous paintings in the style of that era. As a portrait of the life behind a portrait, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is an intriguing study of both art and desire.

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

• Can I have that 103 minutes back please?
  I now know a little bit about mixing paint, other than that this was a complete waste of time, very glad I saw it on telly and didn't waste money on it, would rather watch the paint dry (after mixing it). Only gave this 1 star because you have to give it something

• Art in life; life in art
  I almost feel yet another review would be redundant, but want to add my comments because this film appeals in an age that almost deifies trash! I bought the DVD after seeing it several times and will undoubtedly watch it several times more. Sheer beauty! It probably won't appeal to a wide viewership because of the slow pace and minimal dialogue but it fills a gap in today's sadly under-populated world of quality viewing. Johanssen is the perfect Griet: strong character, an instinctive eye for what makes for... more info

• Like a masterpiece in oils, this film builds layer by layer
  GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is based on the book by Tracey Chevalier. Many may be familiar with the painting of the same name by the Dutch artist, Vermeer. This dramatisation is an imagined examination of the infamous sitter for the portrait.
  Griet (played by Scarlett Johansen) becomes a maid for the Dutch painter. One of her duties is to clean his studio, whilst he is not working. As the film progresses, you begin to relaise that this young lady is quite excedptional - she sees one of ghis paintings and... more info

• Girl with a Pear Earring
  I watched this film just recently, having been enthralled by Tracey Chevalier's book first of all. It was brilliantly produced with real sensitivity - and every scene was evocative of the beautiful Vermeer paintings. All the characters leapt straight out of the great masterpieces onto the screen - all the costumes and colours carefully reproduced. I loved the story so much, I want to go and visit Delft myself to soak up the atmosphere!

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