Customer Reviews
Can I have that 103 minutes back please? - By: K. A. Dearness, 17 Aug 2008 
I now know a little bit about mixing paint, other than that this was a complete waste of time, very glad I saw it on telly & didn't waste money on it, would rather watch the paint dry (after mixing it). Only gave this 1 star because you have to give it something
Art in life; life in art - By: R. J. Barton, 03 Aug 2008 
I almost feel yet another review would be redundant, but want to add my comments because this film appeals in an age that almost deifies trash! I bought the DVD after seeing it several times & will undoubtedly watch it several times more. Sheer beauty! It probably won't appeal to a wide viewership because of the slow pace & minimal dialogue but it fills a gap in today's sadly under-populated world of quality viewing. Johanssen is the perfect Griet: strong character, an instinctive eye for what makes for good art -- probably inherited from her (now blind) ceramics artist father -- & an understated beauty. Firth is his usual self: sexy in an "almost-too-good-to-be-true" macho way. Supporting roles are admirably filled, especiallly that of the rich, vain, lecherous Van Ruiven (Tom Wilkinson, a rather underrated actor, in my book). Most of the encomiums I could add regarding this DVD have already been generously poured out by other reviewers. I can only say: If you are looking for an artistic production in every sense, you can't go wrong by buying this one.
Like a masterpiece in oils, this film builds layer by layer - By: Brida, 01 Jan 2008 
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is based on the book by Tracey Chevalier. Many may be familiar with the painting of the same name by the Dutch artist, Vermeer. This dramatisation is an imagined examination of the infamous sitter for the portrait.
Griet (played by Scarlett Johansen) becomes a maid for the Dutch painter. One of her duties is to clean his studio, whilst he is not working. As the film progresses, you begin to relaise that this young lady is quite excedptional - she sees one of ghis paintings & seems utterly beguiled by it, appreciating it a deep level. She is also aware that merely cleaning the windows to the sturdio may have consequences for the lighting in the room, & so asks permission to do so from the mistress of the household first - although the question is met with incomprehension by Vermeer's wife, who sees his painting as merely a way of bringing money into the household.
Yet it is while Griet is cleaning his windows that the artist finallly 'sees' her. Once he does, he becomes mildly obsessed with her. Noticing that she has an apptitude for the artistic world, they spend more time together. And although it is alll very 'chaste', the sensuality of the film is created around their relationship making for moments dripping with sexual tension. Of course, it does not go unnoticed by his very jealous wife. . .
The beauty of this film is that, like a beautiful painting, the intensity is built up layer by layer. It also shows you that sensuality is more than full on physical contact - true chemistry is more than that; more subtle than that, & this film completely mirrors that idea of subtlety. While some view this film as slow, I thought it was beautifully paced & photographed, showing the colours of life, love & jealousy.
Girl with a Pear Earring - By: Mrs. J. Harvey, 06 Nov 2007 I watched this film just recently, having been enthrallled by Tracey Chevalier's book first of alll. It was brilliantly produced with real sensitivity - & every scene was evocative of the beautiful Vermeer paintings. All the characters leapt straight out of the great masterpieces onto the screen - alll the costumes & colours carefully reproduced. I loved the story so much, I want to go & visit Delft myself to soak up the atmosphere!
Atmospheric and beautifully photographed - By: P. Smith, 14 Jan 2007 This is a fine film, atmospheric & beautifully photographed.
I've no wish to go over the ground already well covered by the many reviews here but when I watched this film again recently I was struck by two things. Firstly how apt the haunting music was, a poignant piano trill that adds so much to the visual feast on screen & also just how very good Essie Davis is in the part of Catharina Vermeer.
This is a tough part to play because Catharina's not a sympathetic character at alll but there are examples of Essie Davis's acting finesse alll through the film. One instance of many is the scene when she half cries to Jan Vermeer (Colin Firth) in a moment of exasperated, frustrated & understandable pain, "She can't even read". Super acting. (This is for me the best film in terms of supporting actors in the last couple of years.)
It's easy to overlook her (I did) in a way because the lovely Scarlett Johansson plays the lead so memorably well.
This is a film with many details to savour & it will bear several viewings.
