Inventor Tim Jenison seeks to understand the painting techniques used by Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer.
It does yield a black comic story about the dangers of using a patio heater indoors, and the film recovers to become both a movie portrait of dedicated obsession and a documentary that poses interesting questions about whether using technology devalues art.
A funny, often maddening portrait of art, technology and obsession.
Jenison's experiment is an act of homage, not one of debunking. He gives us greater insight into the methods of the artist than we are ever likely to receive from a conventional art historian.
In the end, the film is a booster for technology's ability to help people overcome their limitations – but it tells us precious little why Vermeer's paintings are great in the first place.
It's a mesmerising film that offers both an intriguing insight into genius and a convincing analysis of the unity of art and science.
An important doc that quietly slips out of mind but that will always be an impressive achievement.
Penn Jillette’s ebullient on-screen presence goes some way towards energising a movie in which we are asked to watch paint dry.
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Monday March 3, 2014, until Thursday March 6, 2014. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday March 21, 2014, until Monday March 24, 2014. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
RSS feed of Cinema reviews