‘At Eternity’s Gate’

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, himself an artist, is guilty of self indulgent experiential obscurity as a convincing Willem Dafoe loses a grip on the world around him.

Brother Theo (Rupert Friend) 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%

Director: Julian Schnabel (Miral, Basquiat)

Writer: Jean-Claude Carrière (The Discrete Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Cyrano de Bergerac), Louise Kugelberg, Julian Schnabel (Before Night Falls, Basquiat)

Main cast: Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project, The Lighthouse), Rupert Friend (The Young Victoria, Starred Up), Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, A Most Violent Year)

‘Loving Vincent’

A world first – a fully painted animation where Vincent Van Gogh’s emotive impasto and bold brushstrokes effectively transfer to the screen.

A year after the artist’s death, Armond Roulin is sent by his father, Postmaster Joseph Roulin, to personally deliver a letter to Theo Van Gogh. Initially reluctant, Armond travels to Auvers-sure-Oise via Paris where he slowly becomes embroiled in the mystery that was Vincent Van Gogh.

The narrative itself may be stilted and slight but technique (more than 100 artists, 853 paintings and 65,000 frames in the 94 minute film) never fails to impress. Painted in the style of Van Gogh, actors (including Douglas Booth, Saoirse Ronan and Helen McCrory) are placed in the artist’s rendered landscapes, creating a living tableaux to tell the story of those tragic last days.

A UK/Polish co-production commissioned by Wroclaw: European City of Culture 2016.

Nominated for the best animated feature Oscar in 2018.

Rating: 72%

Director: DK Welchman (The Flying Machine), Hugh Welchman

Writer: DK Welchman (The Flying Machine), Hugh Welchman

Main cast (voices): Douglas Booth (The Limehouse Golem, The Riot Club), Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn, How I Live Now), Helen McCrory (The Queen, Their Finest)