Van Gogh (1991 film)

Van Gogh is a 1991 French film written and directed by Maurice Pialat. It stars Jacques Dutronc in the role of Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, for which he won the 1992 Csar Award for Best Actor. Set in 1890, the film follows the last 67 days of Van Goghs life and explores his relationships with his brother Theo, his physician Paul Gachet most famous as the subject of Van Goghs painting Portrait of Dr. Gachet, and the women in his life, including Gachets daughter, Marguerite.

The film is noted for its antimelodramatic and unsensationalistic approach to Van Goghs life. For this reason it is often contrasted with Vincente Minnellis Van Gogh film Lust for Life.not in citation given Very little time is devoted to Van Goghs art and work, with the bulk of the 158minute running time occupied by the artists often difficult personal relationships and declining mental state. The film omits any references to many of the most famous incidents in Van Goghs life including his attempt to cut off his ear in 1888 in favor of concentrating on the social dynamics of the late 19th century.Writing in The Washington Post, critic Desson Howe explains In the movie, you dont see Van Gogh Jacques Dutronc complete the final brush stroke of a masterpiece, then call up old Gauguin for a celebratory absinthe. You do see a thin, stringy man, suffering from headaches, enjoying whores and moping around irascibly. Van Gogh denies you familiar highlights, keeps you from his working elbow and avoids the Ear Thing. But it shows you the quotidian stuff in between. This is the story of an artist being human, carrying canvases out or lugging them back in their famous images intentionally out of sight. ........

Source: Wikipedia