Review of Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) by Christina C — 20 Nov 2012

Loved this film. Many of the scenes are done so well, that honestly, it's like watching a Vermeer painting in motion. The cinematography is simply stunning. I've heard some people in my family complain that the story itself is boring, but in my opinion, it isn't.

It just lacks alot of the elements that American moviegoers look for, such as overt sexual referenes (there is only one of these, and this scene seems forced and out of place), action, and other such things.

However, the story itself really is solid, as it's based on the book. I will say that Johansson was a bit lifeless in the role of Griet, but, Firth, Wilkinson, Murphy, Parfitt and Davis are all wonderful, as is the little girl who played Cornelia.

Fans of the book will notice that some elements have been changed or are just missing altogether (such as the family life of Griet, her brother's troubles, and her family's poverty) Because of this, the character that Murphy is given in Pieter isn't as fleshed out as he is in the book.

That is why this film only gets four stars from me instead of five. The story could have been fleshed out more, and perhaps the performance of Johansson could've been more animated. Other than those things, however, this is an excellent film worth viewing.

But fans of the book beware. There have been some changes made.