Girl with a Pearl Earring DVD

Coming off the back of directing ITV’s meagre soap-fest The Stretford Wives (2002), Peter Webber has confounded many critics by turning in a film of depth and immense poise. Based on Tracy Chevalier’s hit novel of obsession and mystery, the story intertwines around the inspiration behind one of the mercurial Flemish artist Johannes Vermeer’s greatest paintings – the eponymous Girl with a Pearl Earring.

The Delft master is played by Colin Firth, surrounded by a brood of children (he had 11 in real life) his pine-faced wife and his fearsome mother-in-law Maria Thins, played with thin-lipped relish by Judy Parfitt. Arriving into the chaotic household as maid and general dogsbody is Griet, taking a menial job to help her ailing parents; enter the bewitching Scarlett Johansson.

The main tale revolves around the relationship that grows between Firth and Johansson and which is neatly balanced between artistic tuition and sexual tension, the household is awash with petty jealousy, money worries and lack of religious faith. The family fawns over local patron Van Ruijven, a rambunctious Tom Wilkinson, trying to persuade him over fat roast dinners to commission another rare work (there are only 35 Vermeer paintings in existence) Of course, Vermeer finally finds the muse for his next work in Griet, he finds her a fine pearl which he eventually gets her to wear and pose with, she cocks her head in a modest and sensual way and turns to peer at Vermeer’s face. The masterpiece is achieved.

The entire film is dressed and lit in the same austere and dark way found in the Flemish renaissance. Certain moments on screen are lingeringly framed as paintings, deep and sombre colours permeate the film, mood and characters. In doing so, the film is lent an air of mystery and dusky wonder and is an understated triumph from start to finish. Colin Firth shows that (amidst the fluff of Love Actually et al), he is a skilful actor and Scarlett Johansson, well, it has all been said elsewhere umpteen times, she is young, gorgeous, gifted and set for A-list superstar status any moment.

on 12th May 2004
Author of 7 reviews