The Girl with the Pearl Earring
Not too much to say with this movie, considering Cillian had such a secondary role. I have quite a bit to say on the movie as a whole, but I'll do my best to sum up my thoughts/feelings in bullet-point form to avoid any unnecessary ranting.
1. You can easily tell this is a movie from a book because of the crammed, squished feeling the plot and flow was. The pacing was even in the beginning, but then it was suddenly like, "OH SHIT! WE NEEDS TO GET TO THE POINT! HURRY, HURRY, TIME IS MONEY, PEOPLE!" It then took on a very rushed pace which left the ending lackluster and without significance. I mean, not five minutes ago she just sat for that pointing. How am I supposed to appreciate the poignancy of her receiving the fabric & earrings if IT JUST happened? I didn't. I also felt the friendship of Vermeer & Griet was too quick. I understand that it's just like that for some people in real life but it doesn't translate well in movies when you have the class master/maid thing going on.
2. Why does Murphy always get the sloppy seconds of these bitches hearts? Seriously, I really liked his character, clearly, the better man and hurrah for her ending up with him in the end, but it felt more like OH I MUST MARRY YOU BECAUSE CULTURE, CLASS AND CIRCUMSTANCE KEEPS ME FROM THE MAN WHO TRULY UNDERSTANDS MY SOUL. I think Griet genuinely loved Pieter, but it was one of those mellow, friendship loves - from which she will forever keep the secrets of her true, passionate soul locked away forever! It's obvious, from the movie narration anyway, it's one of those loves where he clearly is more in love with her than she will ever be with him and she is like...I don't know, indulging him because she knows good girls get married to nice boys with a good trade. I have no doubt of her fondness for him, but it's not the same. Maybe I'm being too pushy with my Modern Woman kind of thinking, because the Modern Woman in me just wants to shake Griet by the shoulders and say, "Bitch, if you don't share what's in your soul with the dude who can love you, how the hell are you going to be able to really love him? Let Mr. Darcy be with his fucked up family and let the man who really loves you do just that, love you!"
I don't know, hopefully the book is different (I plan to pick it up at the library tomorrow) and Pieter gets more of a break.
3. The symbolism stick was clobbering me over the head, too, but this might be because I'm a writer, so that kind of shit sticks out like a sore thumb to me. The symbolism of her hair and the pearl, and Vermeer being the one to see her hair over Pieter and Vermeer piercing her ear just...yeah, I get it. I GET IT. That was the truly sexual part, Vermeer 'deflowered' her really because they totally get one another and she ran to Pieter for that cheap, meaningless physical sex ~ but it's okay because she marries him in the end...GAH! *clutches head*
4. Jeebus, Johansson, see that big, black box with the glass in its center? That's a camera and it picks up EVERYTHING you show on your face. Subtlety, it is your friend. Don't worry, the man behind the camera is a professional and will know when to look at you, so close your mouth and stop being so obvious with your inner character monologue that nobody hears. You're a decent actress, now pull it back a little.
So, overall, I like the story. I was just sitting there, though, going I NEED TO READ THE BOOK. Definitely not enough Murphy in it, but I get why so it's not a terrible complaint.
Side note: I was tickled to see Anna Popplewell and Rollo Weeks reunited, even if they worked all of two days on this flick and had virtually no lines. I love those kids. Anna needs better roles, she's a fabulous actress.
Again, my whinging aside, I do actually recommend this movie. It's not half bad, and the setting & costumes make it worth it anyway. Just read the book when you're done.
You know, I was never a big fan of Johansson (still am kind of indifferent to her) but I actually think she was at the height of attractiveness in this flick. She wears so much make up and while it's pretty, I think the minimalist make up "natural" look suits her best.
Girl with a Pearl Earring:
Overall Story: 2.8
Insanity Meter: none
Would I Buy: No, but I wouldn't turn it away if it was given to me
Can Your Mum Watch It: She'd probably love it
Death Toll: none
Angst-o-Meter: 4-ish. The woman he wants keeps him at a cold distance with a serious case of blueballs. He wins in the end (sorta)
Gun Toting: more like pig-toting
Would I Recommend: It's worth a watch
1. You can easily tell this is a movie from a book because of the crammed, squished feeling the plot and flow was. The pacing was even in the beginning, but then it was suddenly like, "OH SHIT! WE NEEDS TO GET TO THE POINT! HURRY, HURRY, TIME IS MONEY, PEOPLE!" It then took on a very rushed pace which left the ending lackluster and without significance. I mean, not five minutes ago she just sat for that pointing. How am I supposed to appreciate the poignancy of her receiving the fabric & earrings if IT JUST happened? I didn't. I also felt the friendship of Vermeer & Griet was too quick. I understand that it's just like that for some people in real life but it doesn't translate well in movies when you have the class master/maid thing going on.
2. Why does Murphy always get the sloppy seconds of these bitches hearts? Seriously, I really liked his character, clearly, the better man and hurrah for her ending up with him in the end, but it felt more like OH I MUST MARRY YOU BECAUSE CULTURE, CLASS AND CIRCUMSTANCE KEEPS ME FROM THE MAN WHO TRULY UNDERSTANDS MY SOUL. I think Griet genuinely loved Pieter, but it was one of those mellow, friendship loves - from which she will forever keep the secrets of her true, passionate soul locked away forever! It's obvious, from the movie narration anyway, it's one of those loves where he clearly is more in love with her than she will ever be with him and she is like...I don't know, indulging him because she knows good girls get married to nice boys with a good trade. I have no doubt of her fondness for him, but it's not the same. Maybe I'm being too pushy with my Modern Woman kind of thinking, because the Modern Woman in me just wants to shake Griet by the shoulders and say, "Bitch, if you don't share what's in your soul with the dude who can love you, how the hell are you going to be able to really love him? Let Mr. Darcy be with his fucked up family and let the man who really loves you do just that, love you!"
I don't know, hopefully the book is different (I plan to pick it up at the library tomorrow) and Pieter gets more of a break.
3. The symbolism stick was clobbering me over the head, too, but this might be because I'm a writer, so that kind of shit sticks out like a sore thumb to me. The symbolism of her hair and the pearl, and Vermeer being the one to see her hair over Pieter and Vermeer piercing her ear just...yeah, I get it. I GET IT. That was the truly sexual part, Vermeer 'deflowered' her really because they totally get one another and she ran to Pieter for that cheap, meaningless physical sex ~ but it's okay because she marries him in the end...GAH! *clutches head*
4. Jeebus, Johansson, see that big, black box with the glass in its center? That's a camera and it picks up EVERYTHING you show on your face. Subtlety, it is your friend. Don't worry, the man behind the camera is a professional and will know when to look at you, so close your mouth and stop being so obvious with your inner character monologue that nobody hears. You're a decent actress, now pull it back a little.
So, overall, I like the story. I was just sitting there, though, going I NEED TO READ THE BOOK. Definitely not enough Murphy in it, but I get why so it's not a terrible complaint.
Side note: I was tickled to see Anna Popplewell and Rollo Weeks reunited, even if they worked all of two days on this flick and had virtually no lines. I love those kids. Anna needs better roles, she's a fabulous actress.
Again, my whinging aside, I do actually recommend this movie. It's not half bad, and the setting & costumes make it worth it anyway. Just read the book when you're done.
You know, I was never a big fan of Johansson (still am kind of indifferent to her) but I actually think she was at the height of attractiveness in this flick. She wears so much make up and while it's pretty, I think the minimalist make up "natural" look suits her best.
Girl with a Pearl Earring:
Overall Story: 2.8
Insanity Meter: none
Would I Buy: No, but I wouldn't turn it away if it was given to me
Can Your Mum Watch It: She'd probably love it
Death Toll: none
Angst-o-Meter: 4-ish. The woman he wants keeps him at a cold distance with a serious case of blueballs. He wins in the end (sorta)
Gun Toting: more like pig-toting
Would I Recommend: It's worth a watch