A hybrid biopic of Vincent Van Gogh.
On the one hand, At Eternity’s Gate is a suitably atmospheric, muddily confusing paen to an artist whose mental stability was questionable and who cocked a snook at traditional painting techniques. But director Julian Schnabel (Miral, Basquiat), himself an artist, is guilty of self indulgent experiential obscurity as a convincing Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project, The Lighthouse) loses a grip on the world around him.
Brother Theo (Rupert Friend – The Young Victoria, Starred Up) and Gauguin (Oscar Isaac – Ex-Machina, A Most Violent Year) provide a degree of stability in these later years of Vincent’s life. But all to no avail as the artist loses his life in mysterious and, to this day, questionable circumstances.
Nominated for 1 Oscar (best actor, Willem Dafoe) in 2019.
Rating: 54%
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