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

Out of all the animals used in the various scenes, Scarlett Johansson fell in love with one of the cats and named it 'Merkin'. The production went to great lengths to allow her to adopt the cat and arrange it to be transported from Luxembourg to New York city.

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Goofs

When Tanneke is getting ready for the first dinner with Van Ruijven she is greasing up a couple of chickens and gets some grease on her dress. In the next shot there is no grease.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in The Grand Tour: Happy Finnish Christmas (2016)

User Reviews

The painting was better than the book

"Girl with a Pearl Earring" tells a fictional tale about how the title painting by 17th century Dutch painter Vermeer might have come to be. Outwardly, the film is a story about the painter and a household maid who becomes the subject of the painting. Inwardly, the film is about the unspoken but palpable feelings between two people of very different stature and station which may or may not be forever cast in the crazed pigments of the masterpiece. Those who can tap into the subtle human emotional undercurrents will find this film far more satisfying than those who cannot. Regardless, all will find "Girl with a Pearl Earring" a masterpiece of filmmaking. (A-)

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