"The Burnt Orange Heresy" is an intriguing character-driven film. Despite the small cast and the limited scope, the depth of characterization was compelling, and the film was stylishly conceived around the esoteric world of modern art.
From the outset, it is clear that the art critic James Figueras is a con artist. He takes nearly sadistic delight in giving a talk to tourists in which he first tears down an art work, then builds it up with a contrary interpretation. By the end of the session, the entire group wants to buy a print of a non-existent painting.
At that group session, a young woman named Berenice Hollis is in attendance, and she and James begin an affair. James takes Berenice with him on a visit to a splendid villa in Milan owned by the connoisseur Nils Cassidy, who is played by the puckish looking Mick Jagger. The perceptive Nils senses that he can use James to acquire a priceless painting from the eccentric artist Jerome Debrey. A small but important detail is a phone message to James indicating that a check that he recently wrote has bounced.
Debrey, brilliantly performed by Donald Sutherland, is a recluse with a studio on the grounds of Cassidy's estate. Debrey takes a liking to Berenice, and one of the best scenes in the film is their intimate conversation wherein Debrey waxes philosophical and provides her with a life lesson or two.
But the unscrupulous James Figueras plans to take advantage of Debrey by setting fire to his art studio and pawning off on the public Debrey's final "masterpiece" that was painted in a slapdash way by Figueras himself!
The close of the film was sad due to the fate of poor Berenice. But there is a touching moment when it is revealed that the girl from Esko, Minnesota, received a signed portrait of her that was painted by Debney. In a film that dealt primarily with the pretentious and snobbish nature of modern art, there is a breath of fresh air in a simple portrait of a kind human face that was likely the final composition of a modern master, Jerome Debrey.
From the outset, it is clear that the art critic James Figueras is a con artist. He takes nearly sadistic delight in giving a talk to tourists in which he first tears down an art work, then builds it up with a contrary interpretation. By the end of the session, the entire group wants to buy a print of a non-existent painting.
At that group session, a young woman named Berenice Hollis is in attendance, and she and James begin an affair. James takes Berenice with him on a visit to a splendid villa in Milan owned by the connoisseur Nils Cassidy, who is played by the puckish looking Mick Jagger. The perceptive Nils senses that he can use James to acquire a priceless painting from the eccentric artist Jerome Debrey. A small but important detail is a phone message to James indicating that a check that he recently wrote has bounced.
Debrey, brilliantly performed by Donald Sutherland, is a recluse with a studio on the grounds of Cassidy's estate. Debrey takes a liking to Berenice, and one of the best scenes in the film is their intimate conversation wherein Debrey waxes philosophical and provides her with a life lesson or two.
But the unscrupulous James Figueras plans to take advantage of Debrey by setting fire to his art studio and pawning off on the public Debrey's final "masterpiece" that was painted in a slapdash way by Figueras himself!
The close of the film was sad due to the fate of poor Berenice. But there is a touching moment when it is revealed that the girl from Esko, Minnesota, received a signed portrait of her that was painted by Debney. In a film that dealt primarily with the pretentious and snobbish nature of modern art, there is a breath of fresh air in a simple portrait of a kind human face that was likely the final composition of a modern master, Jerome Debrey.