Vincent & Theo (1990)

Director:

Robert Altman

Writer:

Julian Mitchell (written by)

Release Date:

27 April 1990 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

An obsessive vision. A desperate dream. A world that didn't understand... And a brother that did.

Plot:

The familiar tragic story of Vincent van Gogh is broadened by focusing as well on his brother Theodore...

Plot Keywords:

Vincent Van Gogh | Art | Creative Process | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tim Roth	...	Vincent Van Gogh
Paul Rhys	...	Theodore 'Theo' Van Gogh
Adrian Brine	...	Uncle Cent
Jean-François Perrier	...	Léon Boussod
Yves Dangerfield	...	René Valadon (as Vincent Vallier)
Hans Kesting	...	Andries Bonger
Peter Tuinman	...	Anton Mauve
Marie Louise Stheins	...	Jet Mauve
Oda Spelbos	...	Ida
Jip Wijngaarden	...	Sien Hoornik
Anne Canovas	...	Marie
Sarah Bentham	...	Marie Hoornik
Jean-Denis Monory	...	Emile Bernard
Johanna ter Steege	...	Jo Bonger (as Johanna Ter Steege)
Jean-Pierre Castaldi	...	'Pere' Tanguy

Also Known As:

Vincent et Théo (France)

Runtime:

USA:138 min | Spain:133 min (DVD edition) | France:197 min (TV premiere) | Germany:194 min (TV version)

Country:

Netherlands | UK | France | Italy | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | UK:15 | France:U | Spain:13 | USA:PG-13 | Canada:A (Ontario)

Company:

Arena Films

Trivia:

Originally designed to be a four-hour mini-series for the BBC. Robert Altman and writer Julian Mitchell were able to pare it down to two and a half hours by focusing on Van Gogh's last years.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country (1993)

Altman uses Vincent's lighting

This story is one of the most interesting I know. Unfortunately, the script misses the real drama of this important life. But never mind. The real art of the film is in two achievements:

--Altman frames and colors his shots through Vincent's eyes. This is the most sensitive use of the cinematic palette I've seen, and makes the experience singular. I saw it on a TV, which I hate to do. I would travel to see this properly projected.

--Time Roth gives interprets Vincent wonderfully. If you ignore the lines, which are vapid, and concentrate on his being, it's quite nuanced. He is meek in body, but passionate in expression. The teeth and pipe are great.