the films of our childhood have a special aura. each is great ignoring the artistic virtues. because they are part from us. from memories, emotions, representations, dreams. in this case , for me, all has the virtues of magic. the great performance of Kirk Douglas. the impressive work of Anthony Quin. the admirable way to translate on screen the book of few generation of Vicente Minelli. sure, it is a slice from a period. sure, it is far to be example of biographic accuracy. but it gives a realistic, sensitive, maybe useful portrait of a great artist. or, maybe, revolutionary. and this is its huge virtue. to discover on the screen models and the air of XIX century. to meet names and characters. to be pushed to discover the real van Gogh. and to be front to a magnificent Gauguin. so, an admirable film. for its artistic virtues. but, maybe, first, for its status of film of my childhood.

If you're in the mood for for mirth and gaiety, you might want to postpone viewing this very important film for another day. Try "Mary Poppins" instead, but definitely come back to this because it must be seen in order to be fully appreciated.Meticulously directed by Vincente Minelli and very well written by Norman Corwin, based on the book by Irving Stone, this movie is about a critical period in the tragic and tortured life of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. I found it highly ironic that this man enjoyed such little beauty during his life, yet, at the same time, he was able to create such serene and colorful beauty on the canvas. The fact that he could appreciate beauty to this degree made his life all the more sad to me. His impoverished condition and extreme alienation from the society around him also serve as stunning contrasts from the stratospheric prices of his paintings today and the widespread posthumous love and recognition that his works have so justifiably achieved.In spite of the sadness and the tragedy of Van Gogh's life, I was very inspired by his tough perseverance and determination in developing his painting ability and style. Rather than shying away from valid criticism, he sought it from qualified individuals, directly faced it, and effectively responded to it. Most aspiring artists and writers cannot rely upon God-given talent alone. They still must work very hard in order to produce the very best of their ability. By his example, Van Gogh proved this to us. By pure coincidence, I happened to watch this movie on Kirk Douglas's 100th birthday, December 9, 2016. While other IMDb reviewers found that he overacted the part, I strongly disagree with them. Not only did he physically resemble the true Van Gogh, but he very credibly brought to life the intense, mentally tormented inner being of the painter as well. I'm very happy that Anthony Quinn won an Oscar for his 22 minute role but also regret that Douglas went home empty handed that night and on every other Oscar night until he finally received much deserved honorary recognition by the Academy in 1996 at the age of 80. Happy Birthday, Mr. Douglas. Well done, sir!

Director Vincente Minnelli has made an art film. It is evident from the way he has used his colour palette and light when shooting the film. Cold greys with the early mining village scenes, reds for glimpses of Paris turning to greens in the countryside of Provence and for the fields of Arles we see yellows.In turn scenes and characters would reflect his famous works of arts even the sets such as his room in Arles. We have images of Van Gogh painting the night sky with candles on his hat so he can see better in the dark.Kirk Douglas immerses himself as Van Gogh becoming a preacher in a small mining town and decides he needs to really live amongst the dirt than be a pious preacher. He is miserable but passionate, after his widowed cousin turns down his advances, he becomes more miserable but also turns towards art. Initially he sketches and with the aid of his cousin, he turns to painting and colours.Over time there is desperation, his brother Theo provides him with money but cannot sell his works. His paintings go against fashion of the times, it is mocked. Only Paul Gaugin (Anthony Quinn) understands but when Gaugin goes on to stay with him they have an artistically wild relationship where they also irritate each other.In the end Van Gogh succumbs to mental illness. Douglas gives generally a subtle performance but underneath there is passion, for life, for art, for love but also hurt, the hurt he felt from failure in love, his life and his art which did not sell.Van Gogh would fall out with people, whether they were friends, family or lovers. Even Gaugin could not stand the whining from Van Gogh or the pigsty of the house he was staying in. Quinn gives a brash, animalistic performance, his short cameo won him a best supporting actor Oscar and he also bagged some nice lines.Lust for Life is an effective melodrama, maybe it does not always adhere to the truth but presents Van Gogh as lonely, vulnerable, haunted figure while Minnelli adds an artist's eye and a visual style which is helped by shooting in locations that Van Gogh lived in rather than a Hollywood backlot.

It is the Quiet and the Non-Verbal that Impress the Most in this Biopic of Van Gogh, because Kirk Douglas' Overripe, Very Loud Performance and an Intrusive Musical Soundtrack do Nothing to Enhance the Experience.What does are Scenes that Show the Artist, in one of the Many Moments of Intense Frustration, looks up and upon an Oil Lamp, nothing is Said, and in the Next Shot there is the Painting of the Lamp, again Nothing is Said. Plain and Profound it is a Beautiful Transition from Observation to Mind to Art.What also makes the Film Beautiful is the Original Artwork Constantly Filling the Frame and the Number of Outdoor Scenes of the Artist Reveling in His Beloved Sunlit, Natural World. Another Positive and Enlightening Aspect is the Portrayal of Van Gogh's Lust for the Human Condition and how he Transposes these Folks at Work in Back Breaking, Soul Depleting Toil to the Canvas.There are Many Good Things to Enjoy in this Movie but the Dialog, Sound, and Overacting is not Among Them. But some of that is Muted by the Color Schemes, the Settings (both indoor and out), and the Insight of the Struggle to Find Beauty, Apply that to Art that Touches People, while at the Same Time Reflecting on the Devastating Hypocrisy and Ugliness that, Especially in Van Gogh's Life, was more than He could Bare.