A blistering, unsentimental portrait of the great Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, Robert Altman's VINCENT AND THEO focuses on the deeply neurotic relationship between the unstable, impoverished Vincent (Tim Roth) and his art dealer brother, Theo (Paul Rhys). Specifically, it investigates the role Theo played in providing the normality and connection to the outer world that Vincent lacked--while Vincent, in turn, acted as the living embodiment of Theo's unfulfilled artistic aspirations. In the end, Theo's inability to secure his brother's financial independence and help him achieve a sense of self-worth by selling his paintings caused him a misery almost as profound as Vincent's. Altman's theatrical version of what was originally a four-hour European miniseries is a bold return to form for the director after a stint directing film adaptations of plays. As the introverted Vincent, Roth delivers an intensely passionate performance, and Rhys is just as moving as the more reserved Theo. Altman chooses to concentrate on the artist himself, likely providing a deeper insight into the individual than scenes of him painting ever could. VINCENT AND THEO remains an unflinching and powerful interpretation of the life of one of the world's most famous artists.
VINCENT & THEO was released in Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC, and Toronto November 16, 1990. The film had an expanded release in the USA on January 4, 1991, and was re-released in Los Angeles September 13, 1991.
The film was shot on location in France and the Netherlands.
VINCENT & THEO was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1991.
Other films about Vincent van Gogh include Vincente Minnelli's LUST FOR LIFE (1956), starring Kirk Douglas, and Paul Cox's VINCENT: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF VINCENT VAN GOGH (1987) with John Hurt.
DVD Features:
Audio:
Mono - English
Subtitles - English - Closed Captioning
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Featurette: "Film as Fine Art" With Robert Altman and Stephen Altman
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
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Review 1:
"...There are stupendous performances -- funny, sorrowful and moving....An Altman masterpiece..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.162 11/15/1990
Review 2:
"...It has sequences of blinding intensity..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F8 11/16/1990