Summer Movies 2017: Vincent & Theo

For our last movie of our summer series, which features artists in the garden, we are watching Vincent & Theo (1990), directed by Robert Altman, and starring Tim Roth and Paul Rhys in the respective starring roles. Artists are not always conventional, so watchers beware. But if you appreciate art, artists, creativity, and the intersection of madness and genius, pour a glass of peach iced tea, pick some summer fruit, and join me!

The movie opens with overlapping scenes showing a modern auction taking place in Christie's of London for the Van Gogh painting, Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers (1888), with bidding near 12M pounds; and scenes in Vincent's rented room in which Vincent declares his intention to Theo be a painter of the real world, not the church, and later in which Theo reveals that he is the one who has been supporting Vincent's painting career, not their father. Cut back to Christie's and the bidding ends at 22M pounds. The rest of the movie takes place from 1883 - 1891, and covers many of the well-known events in their lives—Vincent's relationship with Paul Gaugin, cutting off his ear, eating paint, his compassion for others, bouts with depression, and the constant need for money.

Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890) and his art dealer brother, Theo (1857 - 1891), moved from the Netherlands to France to improve their fortunes. Vincent apprenticed as a painter, and Theo sold art. He was a proponent of the new Impressionist style, and attempted to promote Vincent's work, but had a difficult time of it. The film depicted both brothers as tempestuous and a bit tortured, and by the end of the film, Vincent's mental health is deteriorating. He is committed to Saint Remi to repair, and is authorized to paint anywhere he likes. He does some of his most iconic work during this time, but tragically kills himself. Six month later, his brother dies.

Some of my favorite scenes were of Vincent painting in the open air, surrounded by nature. I also liked how Theo and Vincent’s lives were intertwined, and how Theo helped his brother, even as he struggled with his own issues. It's heartbreaking to think of Vincent and Theo struggling with money problems, while Vincent's paintings sell posthumously for millions, and to watch Vincent tormented by mental illness while forging a new art form. I also appreciated watching the short, Film as Fine Art, which describes the making of the movie. Many art students were employed to create the faux Van Gogh paintings used throughout the movie, all of which were in various stages of completeness, and the film crew purchased an entire sunflower field to shoot some of the final scenes of the film. I recommend the film for anyone with a passion for art and nature.