Review of Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) by Yasmine L — 14 Sep 2009

Beautifully quiet and simple, it is a sublime movie. This is not something for those of us who want a fast-paced, loud, talky work. Girl with a Pearl Earring requires patience, simplicity, and a love of beauty.

Based off of Johannes Vermeer's exquisite potrait, the movie is a fictional account what could have happened. While it probably isn't true (but wouldn't it be fun if it were?), the movie none the less holds it grip upon the right audiences.

I stumbled upon this movie from memory. I remembered seeing a glimpse of it, because my grandmother owns a reprint of the exact same painting, and had watched the movie herself. Years later, as I am beginning to fall in love with Vermeer's work, I remembered the movie about his work.

The story is not grandiose, but that's okay. I felt that there was no need for there to be a complicated story. It suited me fine that the story was rather small compared to the visuals. When dealing with art, I think visuals are more important than stories. As an artist, you put a story to something. You have to figure it out for yourself, and everyone views the world differently. That is why not every artist is the same. One person might see something differently, and Vermeer's work is unique in its own simple way.

If one were to look at a Vermeer painting, you would see his work is not flashy, not loud, not overtly painted. There are only the essentials and then the focals. Nothing is overdone or underdone. It is perfect. And there is the sensual, soft, almost ethereal way he presents his women in quietness that appeals to me most.

It is a calming work. Just like the ocean is calming, Girl with a Pearl Earring quietly reflects 17th century Dutch society. It is a movie that is beautiful, simple, and sophisticated. It does not yield to stereotypes to attract audiences, it is something that you choose to watch at will.