After the defeat of Germany in World War II, a flamboyant
Dutch artist (Guy Pearce) is accused of profiting from the sale of a rare
masterwork by the titular 17th-century painter to number two Nazi Hermann
Goering. But the soldier (Claes Bang) charged with investigating the case on
behalf of the Allies eventually discovers that all is not as it initially
appears. Director Dan Friedkin's polished fact-based drama, adapted from
Jonathan Lopez's 2008 book "The Man Who Made Vermeers," features
outstanding performances from its two leads and offers grown viewers a
satisfying exploration of creativity, the ambiguous business of assessing
artistic worth and the drive for justice in the face of public opinion.
Watch out for: A gory
execution, a brief, nongraphic scene of aberrant behavior, adulterous
sensuality, partial nudity, mature references, a couple of profanities, a
milder oath, a few uses each of rough and crude language.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA:
R
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2020