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:

Money on reproductions of Van Gogh's masterpieces was saved by hiring art students to do them.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film as Fine Art (2005) (V)

Roth shines

I knew something of Vincent van Gogh, and Theo for that matter, from reading Irving Stone's book about them (Titled "Lust for Life", I think). They were both copious letter writers, which is where most of the knowledge of them today comes from. I can't say enough about Tim Roth's performance in this film. As someone earlier remarked, Roth passed up the chance to ham it up, as many actors would do to portray van Gogh's madness. It's a much more realistic quiet desperation. I had barely heard of Roth, and didn't recognize him in "Pulp Fiction". Coincidentally, I had just seen him in "Little Odessa", another well done, but somewhat low-key performance. That one is worth checking out, too. The other actors, the direction, the photography were all first rate. The only reason I didn't give it a higher score is that the subject matter is sometimes unpleasant to watch. But if you are interested enough to read this comment, then you should see the film.