Painter (2020) User Reviews

Indie movie with...well...a difference?

[timmermanwoodcraft · 6/10 · 14 October 2020]

I watched this movie and came to the conclusion that being an artist sucks..

I believe the main character Aldis readily agrees with me as he struggles to break through into the world of galleries, artsy people and dicey friends ..

I see in the short description that our protagonist is swept into some sort of 'psychosexual' world...nothing is further from the truth..no psychosex i'm afraid people..

As Aldis meets a generous older benefactor who believes he is brilliant things slowly start to fall in place for Aldis as he confronts his past and the latent hatred he has harboured towards a fellow successful painter named Ryan.. The performance of the actors is so-so but still passable..

The film is nice..and interesting...don't expect Velvet Buzzsaw, but it is refreshingly novel and mildly captivating..I also don't agree this movies falls under Horror...as there is no such reference in this film...it is a drama..simple

Question

[vrgless · 11 November 2020]

How do 8+ reviews amount to a 4.9 overall? It's hard to gauge whether to watch.

Nothing At All

[druatlax · 1/10 · 8 August 2021]

Not worth the view. Horror movie gone lacking. Main 2 characters lacking in most everything.

This being much like the "art" that supposedly captured the "madness" of the female "lead"... which, of course was as poorly developed as the rest. The one known/believable, good young actor/victim, was only a sidebar for the mess of the script, directing, acting, et al.

If you fast forward, through the boredom and disgusting, you will miss nothing at all.

Adolescent

[kirstenholmes-23716 · 2/10 · 18 October 2020]

This is an adolescent film with an adolescent script and adolescent opinions about art. The acting is horrendous. The story is predictable. The premise is just plain embarassing. Don't bother, and don't fall for the marketing spam masquerading is 10/10 reviews under this title.

Stereotypical!

[laspringomail · 2/10 · 3 April 2021]

I find the movie very superficial and stereotypical concerning the definition of an artist. Depiction of artist as someone fetishist can be really a superficial depiction instead of thinking of an artist as someone intellectual, organized, politicized etc. The whole movie does not make any sense at all.

Promising talent.

[bernardkennethjunior · 7/10 · 4 November 2020]

The positives far outweigh the negatives in this trim little offering from a new writer/director. Very sturdy performances from good actors provided with blunt, at times funny, and taught dialogue. A drama more than a thriller, but twisty-turny and unfurling. An adept hand behind the camera. Thousands of lovely ideas on the screen, well composed, always lovely to look at.

Absolutely disgusting

[jefflamm · 1/10 · 15 November 2021]

Absolutely disgusting in the first few minutes. Perhaps trying to be edgy, but is only another profane Hollywood attempt to matter.

It doesn't, turned it off quickly.

Might seem normal to the West Hollywood crowd, but not to normal folks.

Very Interesting

[kgildamom · 7/10 · 3 November 2020]

I agree with some other reviews on here, this is not for everyone. But it was for me (and my son who I watched it with - he's an artist). Very compelling. We loved it.

Why Was This Movie Made?

[bshaef · 1/10 · 16 December 2021]

It has no redeeming qualities, story was boring, actors mailed their performances in and there was no discernible plot. Jeff should not have bought this.

A WONDERFUL, GRIPPING, PROVOCATIVE FILM . . .

[David_Wirth · 10/10 · 18 October 2020]

Make no mistake PAINTER is a modern film ... but within this very colorful, modern film, director CORY WEXLER GRANT has blended elements of film noir and horror movies from the cinema's past which make PAINTER a highly engaging, extremely enjoyable hybrid of a film. PAINTER takes place within the flamboyant, esoteric world of art. Mr. Grant, with uncanny precision, has detailed the beauty, excitement, frivolity, self absorption, worship of the dollar, and the undercurrent of corruption that runs through the modern art gallery. In telling the story of Aldis Browne, a young painter on a bizarre journey from anonymity to celebrity, Mr. Grant introduces and examines themes such as: What is the passion that drives some individuals to create? Why is that passion so seductive? How is it that some artists capture the imagination of the public and others do not? What are the boundaries between artists and their aficionados? A truly gripping and provocative film, worthy of multiple viewings. I recommend it highly.

Surprisingly good

[shoreana · 7/10 · 3 November 2020]

I saw an ad for this on Instagram. I figured "what the heck"? I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't what I expected at all. And nice to see an older woman in a lead role be so maniacal and psychologically deranged. She did a wonderful job. A little slow, but a super cool film. Great for your movie group. Lots to discuss.

Did not know what was coming...

[batchworthy · 9/10 · 1 November 2020]

I also did a little research afterwards and the director shot this whole thing in 16 days... Say WHA? Can't wait to see what he does next. Definitely worth a watch. I only took one star off because the first five minutes of the film felt a little slow for me, but it very quickly took off from there. I stumbled upon this on Instagram and decided to give it a shot not knowing what to expect. I was genuinely VERY impressed with the director, the photography, the whole vibe of the thing including the music. I dont know anything about the art world, so this was fun. Gorgeous, rich looking, beautifully acted and shot. Great work. Thanks for making this.

Theatrical and Classical

[clearvillage · 8/10 · 1 November 2020]

Really great dialogue, performed beautifully by a terrific cast. Great cinematography. And a really impressive musical score. This movie made me think of 'Phantom Thread' by Paul Thomas Anderson. Also, clearly some Sunset Boulevard references. Slow, mysterious, character driven, deliberate. Great on a rainy night, alone. Felt like a cool play.

A rumination on art, talent, and revenge

[brian_tanen · 10/10 · 2 November 2020]

Stumbled on this movie during quarantine, and found it to be compelling, surprising, and delightfully weird. A wealthy collector brings a talented artist under her wing, but their relationship quickly crosses unhealthy boundaries.

For anyone who has ever struggled to make it in an artistic field, the appeal of a mysterious benefactor will resonate strongly. Here, Joanne not only supports Aldis financially, she also provides something he needs on a deeper level - belief in his talent. I won't spoil the plot, but you will not be able to guess where this is going. RECOMMEND!

Shake up your boring quarantine routine

[schmidtsierra · 10/10 · 15 October 2020]

You'll want to buy this one instead of rent it. So good that you will be thinking about it for days after you watch it.

Suspense, creepy obsession and perfectly placed humor. This movie will keep you on your toes the entire time and each turn of events is beautifully unexpected.

The music is perfectly crafted with each scene and sets the tone as the plot unravels.

Bottom line, go watch it. Now!

More than a thriller

[nicolagorham · 10/10 · 16 October 2020]

This movie is SO GOOD! Art, glamor, misplaced obsession! What more could you want. So brilliantly and beautifully directed by Cory Wexler Grant. A true triumph of a film. They don't make them like this anymore. Be kind to yourself and WATCH THIS MOVIE!!

YAS!

[cogantyler · 8/10 · 2 November 2020]

So, so good. This is smart and beautiful. Surprisingly, darkly funny. Mwah! Bella!

Creepy, and Sexy, and Smart!

[jon-1325 · 10/10 · 15 October 2020]

Stumbled on this and really loved it! Can't stop thinking about it. Great commentary on being an artist and the crazy art world and what lengths people will go to for recognition. So fun seeing the mom from Boy Meets World as this totally different kind of character. She's super scary in this! Great performances from the whole cast. Beautiful direction and cinematography and score. Lots of surprises and twists. Highly recommend.

Jealousy, Revenge, Manipulation, Control & Possession!

[Jill_Melanie_Wirth · 10/10 · 18 October 2020]

PAINTER is smart, provocative, unique, horrifying, and exciting! It's a story of jealousy, revenge, manipulation, control and possession. Buy it, because you're going to want to watch it over an over again! PAINTER is truly spectacular.

Slow Burn

[benjamincaden · 9/10 · 7 November 2020]

It takes a while to get going, but once the character of Joanne inserts herself in the life of Aldis Brown, this movie becomes an incredible character study, with beautiful scene work. Betsy Randle as 'Joanne' is stunning. The film climaxes with a tension release that is so fulfilling and is executed in the most wonderful way. Bloody well done.

Wonderful film by the Grant Brothers!

[robertlevy-39228 · 10/10 · 7 November 2020]

The Grant Brothers show their brilliance here. Bravo Bravo Bravo ! Editing, writing and casting all brilliant. Cinematography and art direction simply off the charts. Have never seen an indie film executed this well!

This was straight up!

[juanmuscle · 10/10 · 11 September 2022]

I'm like OK, I guess I can see why someone writes surprised , I was like waiting when is this going to suck but it never did, it jsut kept getting better and better until the big ending! This was stellar writing, the guy is like a superstar playwright and I have to say this , this he worked it the characters were jumping off the page alive and animated and it was so fun and cute and sweet and brave and dark when it needed to be , bravo sir! More from this mfr seriously! Yeah and the acting was really nice and the directing with the long wide shots so we could see more than one thespian at a time in the throes of discourse was extra-ordinary if this person is not employed to do tons of stuff in Hollywood I would say right here and now that is a big mistake , talent wasted! Let's not waste good talent folks , its right here!