Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

A young peasant maid working in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works.

Director:

Peter Webber

Writers:

Tracy Chevalier (novel), Olivia Hetreed (screenplay)

Stars:

Scarlett Johansson, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 43 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Firth	...	Vermeer
Scarlett Johansson	...	Griet
Tom Wilkinson	...	Van Ruijven
Judy Parfitt	...	Maria Thins
Cillian Murphy	...	Pieter
Essie Davis	...	Catharina
Joanna Scanlan	...	Tanneke
Alakina Mann	...	Cornelia
Chris McHallem	...	Griet's Father
Gabrielle Reidy	...	Griet's Mother
Rollo Weeks	...	Frans
Anna Popplewell	...	Maertge
Anaïs Nepper	...	Lisbeth
Melanie Meyfroid	...	Aleydis
Nathan Nepper	...	Johannes

Storyline

This film, adapted from a work of fiction by author Tracy Chevalier, tells a story about the events surrounding the creation of the painting "Girl With a Pearl Earring" by 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. Little is known about the girl in the painting, it is speculated that she was a maid who lived in the house of the painter along with his family and other servants, though there is no historical evidence. This masterful film attempts to recreate the mysterious girl's life. Griet, played by Scarlett Johansson, is a maid in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer, played by British actor Colin Firth. Vermeer's wealthy patron and sole means of support, Van Ruijven, commissions him to paint Griet with the intent that he will have her for himself before it is finished. She must somehow secretly pose for the crucial painting without the knowledge of Vermeer's wife, avoid Van Ruijven's grasp, and protect herself from the cruel gossip of the world of a 17th century servant.

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Plot Keywords:

artist's model | painter | johannes vermeer | art studio | master servant relationship | 

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Taglines:

He had a vision no one saw as clearly as she. In a house where everything had its place, where every image had meaning, he gave her the power to see the light. She gave him a look that would last forever.....

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Vermeer and the painting both are real historic figures, the screenplay is based on Tracy Chevalier's novel and therefore largely fictional or hypothetical. Only 36 Vermeer paintings are known to exist today, and none of the models has ever been positively identified. A poster of the painting in her bedroom inspired Chevalier to write her own version of how it came to exist, based on the framework of Vermeer's known history. Chevalier sold the film rights and opted not to have any involvement in the film or screenplay, although after its release said that she was pleased with the results.

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Goofs

At the dinner party, when Van Ruijven is looking at the painting created by Vermeer you can see that two similar, but slightly different paintings are used for the scene.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Griet's Mother: Griet! Leave that.

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Connections

Featured in Anatomy of a Scene: Girl with the Pearl Earring (2004)

User Reviews

The whole movie was like a painting. A work of art.

I was fascinated by that movie. Every scene looked like a painting and they perfectly captured Vermeer's light . I also liked the historical references to how Vermeer liked to paint young people so he could work on big surfaces of colour and avoid the shading wrinkles give. The music was beautiful and gave off a Dutch feeling of the 17th century as it should have. The time customs that were mentioned are also a great asset.Griet looked so much like Vermeer's original painting that I thought in a moment that this was real (but of course it couldn't cause back in 17th century were no cameras around :p).It was a perfect movie for someone interested in art. Other might find it a bit tiring but if you are an art lover you definitely have to watch this.

Details

Country:

UK Luxembourg France Belgium USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$89,472, 14 December 2003

Gross USA:

$11,670,971

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$33,030,115

Company Credits

Production Co:

Archer Street Productions, Delux Productions, Pathé

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1