Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 2, 1991 TAG: 9102020379
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Director Robert Altman sets out to correct the situation with "Vincent and Theo," a biographical piece rich with ironies. Essentially about the relationship between the two brothers, this handsome movie offers several intriguing subtexts.
It begins with footage of the auction sale of Van Gogh's Irises. As the bids climb into the multi-millions, the movie flashes back to the artist's grubby apartment and a confrontation between Vincent and Theo. Vincent has announced that he will be an artist. Theo informs Vincent that he is the source of Vincent's allowance. Thus, the stage is set for the age-old conflict between art and commercialism.
Theo is an art dealer who reluctantly works for a gallery that specializes in paintings with commercial appeal. Yet, he is unable to sell even one of his brother's paintings during Vincent's lifetime.
As the story unfolds, it turns out that Vincent doesn't voluntarily live in poverty: he harangues his brother for not being able to sell his work. Vincent even suggests that he send his brother paintings in exchange for his allowance so he can claim to be a working artist. Despite artists' protestations to the contrary, the marketplace not only enables them to make a living, it validates their efforts.
Altman, a maverick filmmaker who has been as uncompromising in his movies as Van Gogh was with his paintings, knows this territory well. "Vincent and Theo" may represent Altman's moviemaking at its most straightforward. But it's hardly a routine movie. The nature of art, the connection between genius and madness, the irony that Van Gogh lived in poverty while his paintings today set records, and the turbulent relationship between brothers who love one another is all there.
Tim Roth is compelling as the demented artist. He carefully parallels Vincent's emerging talent and stubborn Bohemianism with his deteriorating mental state and his efforts at self destruction.
As Theo, Paul Rhys creates a sympathetic portrait of a man haunted by his own demons. Theo has his aesthetic principles but he isn't as stringent about them as his brother. He has to endure the anguish of a younger brother responsible for a more willful sibling who is out of control. And his free-spirited lifestyle has left him with syphilis.
"Vincent and Theo" is a thoughtful movie that at times shimmers with stunning visual imagery. `Vincent and Theo': A Hemdale release at the Grandin Theatre. Rated PG-13 for violence, nudity and sexual content. 140 min.
by CNB