Review of My Kid Could Paint That (2007) by Josh H — 09 Nov 2009

This really is an interesting documentary that I highly recommend checking out. The director got lucky that this story, originally just about a 4-year old painting 'prodigy' - it becomes a national story about whether or not the kid really painted the pictures.

As you're watching the movie, there's a little bit more to it and it kind of turns into a story about how a story evolves, especially in the media, and about parents exploiting their kids. It also explores art and what it is and whether or not something a 4-year old creates is worthy of being sold for thousands of dollars.

My take on the issue is that you can argue what art is forever ... but to me, the person who creates it needs to be in SOME WAY aware that they are actually creating art for it to be art. I mean, sure it's art .

.. but is it something worthy of being purchased for thousands of dollars? Obviously things are worth whatever someone is willing to pay, so that has to be taken into consideration. Does the kid have a gift? Sure, for that genre of art .

.. sure. Are there a lot of kids, if encouraged and taught to paint from the age of 2, would make similarly impressive artwork ... probably. And as for the controversy about whether or not her dad helped her create the paintings, I don't think that he did.

My sense is that he probably did guide her quite a bit, but honestly, what's the harm in that? Unless he was physically painting the pictures (which I don't get the sense that he was), then that would make the whole marketing behind Marla a little dishonest.