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

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)

Excellent, underrated Altman

Altman tells the oft-told story of Vincent Van Gogh and the much less told story of his art dealer brother. The story deftly avoids tortured artist cliches and builds both characters as complex, contradictory individuals. The acting is beyond excellent. Tim Roth shows considerable restraint as Van Gogh, a character that many actors would have chosen to overact. And Rhys's Theo calm surface subtly betrays his inner torment.

Altman's camera is a star here as well, and few directors today understand the principle of movement as well as he does. The photography ranges from good to excellent, and the whole films feels like a glimpse into Vincent's world. Like most of Altman's better films, it's character rather than plot driven, so some will certainly say that it's 'boring'. If you are prone to say things like this, it's probably not for you, but anyone who is a fan of Altman's earlier films will be pleased.