Griet (Scarlett Johansson) is the servant girl whose passion for art is kindled by painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Friels).

For the pure in art
Girl with a Pearl Earring


Stars Scarlett Johansson, Colin Friels, Judy Parfitt.
Rated M.

Reviewer: Lt Simone Heyer

In Holland in 1665, a kindly tile painter is left blind and hideously burned after an accident, unable to support his wife and daughter.

Against his better judgement, he and his wife send their daughter Griet (Johansson) to become a maid for a wealthy family.

It is the house of Johannes Vermeer (Friels), a celebrated artist, who locks himself away in his attic for months to develop each commissioned piece.

His wife, Catharina (Parfitt), is an insecure self-obsessed control freak who makes the lives of the hired help miserable. Griet’s gracious demeanour touches all who come in contact with her, and the master painter is no exception.

As punishment, Catharina has Griet clean the attic, but soon, she becomes Vermeer’s muse and is under his tutelage. After her housework is finished, she mixes paint and Vermeer teaches her about light and composition.

Soon Vermeer’s patron develops a taste for Griet, and tries on more than one occasion to seduce her.

Vermeer has a connection with Griet he doesn’t have with his family, and does all he can to protect her.

When his patron insists Vermeer paint Griet – without Catharina’s knowledge, the household is turned upside down. This is a beautiful film.

Like all good films about artists, it makes the paintings come alive. Girl with a Pearl Earring takes you inside Johannes Vermeer’s paintings and shows you his world the way he depicted it.

If you love art and a beautifully constructed film, you’ll love this.

Simone rates this movie

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