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8

GinaKNov 28, 2018

Like many Americans, I grew up with too many museum shows lionizing Van Gogh’s work to the point where I came to ignore him because he was so “popular.” This film has changed my mind. I am now interested in finding out more about Van GoghLike many Americans, I grew up with too many museum shows lionizing Van Gogh’s work to the point where I came to ignore him because he was so “popular.” This film has changed my mind. I am now interested in finding out more about Van Gogh and going beyond the surface of his eccentric style and strange life. And even though the actor Willem Dafoe is instantly recognizable, he manages to “become” Van Gogh very quickly and make the film interesting. It probably helps that the director Julian Schnabel is an artist himself. If you are at all interested in art or Van Gogh, this film is well worth your time, even if you have to sometimes ignore some of the self-consciously “arty” direction. The supporting cast is also excellent.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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7

Brent_MarchantNov 24, 2018

Despite some artistic self-indulgence from the director, the inclusion of some sequences that feel unnecessarily padded and occasionally inexplicable choppy editing, this otherwise beautifully filmed exploration of the creative process asDespite some artistic self-indulgence from the director, the inclusion of some sequences that feel unnecessarily padded and occasionally inexplicable choppy editing, this otherwise beautifully filmed exploration of the creative process as seen through the eyes of someone overwhelmed by its infinite and divinely inspired possibilities is a moving and thoughtful work that transcends the exercises and techniques associated with the craft of painting (or any other art form for that matter). Willem Dafoe gives a masterful, award-worthy performance as the tormented genius Vincent Van Gogh, bringing to life the brilliance and the madness of this immensely talented and immensely misunderstood soul. This offering certainly isn't for everyone, but, for those who appreciate cinema that attempts to push boundaries and get below the surface of someone's worldly persona, director Julian Schnabel's latest does as fine a job as any in seeking to fulfill these goals.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

BHBarryNov 18, 2018

"At Eternity's Gate" is the beautifully told story of the life of Vincent Van Gogh brilliantly portrayed by Willem Dafoe. Supported in the film by Rupert Friend and Oscar Isaacs, the film was written by Jean-Claude Carriere, Louise Kugelberg"At Eternity's Gate" is the beautifully told story of the life of Vincent Van Gogh brilliantly portrayed by Willem Dafoe. Supported in the film by Rupert Friend and Oscar Isaacs, the film was written by Jean-Claude Carriere, Louise Kugelberg and Julian Schnabel, the latter of the three who was also the director. This biographical drama of the life of this great artist puts Mr. Dafoe's portrayal of him onto the short list of Oscar nominees for best actor. Admittedly those not interested in Mr. Van Gogh or the art movement he helped create will not be as interested in seeing the film as those of us who are. The film takes us through the artist's life from his own perspective and presents facts based on common folklore as it explores his struggles with imagination and reality and, ultimately, untimely death. I give the film a 7.5 for it presents to the viewer an interesting theatrical experience as well as a view of the artist not present in the two prior films made about him.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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2

GreatMartinDec 7, 2018

After the first 10 minutes I was ready to walk out of “At Eternity’s Gate” and I was waiting for Allen to say that we should leave but he didn’t. Talk about walking—if they cut all the scenes showing van Gogh walking, especially those of justAfter the first 10 minutes I was ready to walk out of “At Eternity’s Gate” and I was waiting for Allen to say that we should leave but he didn’t. Talk about walking—if they cut all the scenes showing van Gogh walking, especially those of just from lower shins down, in silence, well except for excruciating music on the soundtrack, this would have been considered a short. Sixty-two years ago (1956) there was a ‘Hollywood’ version called “Lust For Life” starring Kirk Douglas as Vincent van Gogh for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor and Anthony Quinn as Paul Gauguin who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The movie was based on a story by Irving Stone and written by Norman Corwin and this movie is written by Jean Claude Carrierre, Louise Kugelberg and Julian Schnabel, the latter also directing with it being his version, based on fact, letters, speculation and fiction.
The major plus of both films is showing the authentic paintings of Vincent van Gogh and, to a certain degree, his road to insanity. Did van Gogh kill himself by shooting himself in the stomach as Stone says or did 2 kids shoot and kill him?
The scenes between Douglas and Quinn are electric while the scenes in “At Eternity’s Gate” between Rupert Friend, as Theo, Vincent’s brother, especially one in a hospital, are moving and those between Oscar Isaac, as Gauguin, showing the respect he had for van Gogh, enlightening. Vladimir Consigny as a young doctor shows compassion for the man who sits before him after cutting his ear off while Mads Mikkelsen as a priest who is no match for van Gogh’s interpretation of the bible. The women’s roles are secondary and neither add or take away from the film.
William Dafoe, as van Gogh, in his 60s, playing the latter in his 30s, shows more in his face of the pain of life that the artist probably did.
Sadly the performances of Dafoe and Friend, with the paintings of van Gogh, are not enough to make the picture worthwhile while the offbeat piano tinkering of music by Tatiana Lisovskaya, the endless walking scenes, the handheld camera shots and the lack of drama make this more of a ‘skip it’ than a ‘must see’.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

NightReviewsDec 22, 2018

In today’s film landscape, we are exposed to countless awe-inspiring special effects showing sculpted celebrities in too-good-to-be-true settings discussing life flawlessly and inadvertently though the trials and tribulations of theirIn today’s film landscape, we are exposed to countless awe-inspiring special effects showing sculpted celebrities in too-good-to-be-true settings discussing life flawlessly and inadvertently though the trials and tribulations of their individual character’s lives. Such films focus on why and how things happen; never placing the blame on certain people or scenarios, but for the most part, many of these stories become disposal, at best. Luckily, every now and again, there are artists who push beyond popular molds and constructs; they are the artists who breathe new life into films, true auteurs. At Eternity’s Gate, starring Willem Dafoe and directed by Julian Schnabel, is one of those special artists and films. Schnabel parts his focus from the nature of why and how things happen, towards the feeling one gets when things do. He seems to find delight in things that cannot be explained.

Gate is a film about Vincent Van Gogh, played brilliantly by Willem Dafoe, as he lives out his final tumultuous days in France struggling to find peace and solace in a hostile and rapidly developing world. The film opens in Paris as Vincent fights to paint his way out of a world awash with people who dress and think in the same aristocratic manner. Yet, as much as this is a biopic of the late great painter, it is by no means formulaic, or paint-by-numbers.

As Vincent exhausts his visions in Paris, seeming to be too mechanically grey, Vincent meets the infamous Paul Gauguin, who encourages Vincent to “head south” because “the light is better there”. As Vincent makes his way south, the entire pallet of the film begins to change. Mr. Schnabel has an impressive way of stimulating the audience’s senses as he thrusts his viewers into an artist’s perception, whether it be into the mind of a madman or not, is to be determined.

With masterful use of camera techniques, color, and sound, we are able to embody Vincent and see the world the way he envisions it. Dafoe communicates the clear message of art being Vincent’s utopia; his Eden from the blunt, and greyscale world. We feel his artistry grow as he walks through rough and open landscapes filled with beautiful instances of nature, but also harrowing depiction of baroness. Mr. Schnabel and his cinematographer, Benoît Delhomme, fill the frame with lush greenery and the most vibrant and golden yellows, but also show us a terrain of earthy tones and neutral views. As the colours and seasons change, the story of Vincent is propelled through the use of Tatiana Lisovskaya vibrant, lush and organic score. Her long ballads of drawn and aired out piano keys are fitting for Dafoe’s chiseled and cracked face, creating a seamless fluid strokes of cinematic brilliance. There is an extensive use shaky cam shooting style which adds to the raw and natural feel that the film embodies. Mr.Schnabel also constructs shots that are drastic and dramatic, adding to the feeling of anguish that Vincent emits throughout the film.

While we generally weren’t aware of Vincent’s mental ailments, Vincent decent into madness was a reflection of his dissatisfaction with the world. as well as his experiences within it, therefore painting onto canvas, and finding the beauty in life. Some could even argue that painting was his sole motivation to live, as he could only live. The erratic camera behavior is crucial in capturing Vincent’s manic genius and the film’s organic aesthetic. Mr. Schnabel and Mr. Delhomme utilize extreme Sergio Leone-style close-ups transforming the stellar cast’s faces into canvases as you catch yourself studying each of them as if carrying an easel. The close-ups are contrasted with ultra-wide angle shots with magnificent one takes and wide screen tracking shots. Vincent was a master at capturing the natural world and these shots provide the time and scope to appreciate just that. The director’s brilliant use of color is one of the highlights of the film. Being used as a type of mood ring that helps us understand Vincent’s mental state, Mr. Schnabel utilized numerous techniques with his lens to give the audience emotion. Schnabel use of lens blurring, depicting the imperfection of vision, as sunlight and small angel furs floating through the country breeze, gives the audience a sense of truism to Vincent.

While we can all appreciate that Vincent was well ahead of his time, it resonated deeply with me how this message during times of misunderstanding and constant tests of self-worth, At Eternity’s Gate is a testament to the passion and power of art. Vincent’s fellow painters and people in the society of Arles, France, where the film concludes, ignore his brilliance. Vincent’s methods and habits perplex the public as they discarded the artist due to their inability to follow the popular formula for paintings during this era.… Expand

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9

ThatFilmGuy20Feb 2, 2019

Much like Van Gogh's painting style this film imitates that style and pays an amazing homage to him, the film feels clumsy and weird much like Van Gogh's work, what I'm trying to say is that in a way we are exposed to this through the eyes ofMuch like Van Gogh's painting style this film imitates that style and pays an amazing homage to him, the film feels clumsy and weird much like Van Gogh's work, what I'm trying to say is that in a way we are exposed to this through the eyes of the man himself, trying to see how he actually saw the world and the inspiration for his paintings, Van Gogh led what only can be called a painful and miserable life and through that pain he managed to craft an amazing array of artwork, he lived through his work and ironically he work is what kept him alive for the duration of his life, At Eternity's gate much like a Van Gogh painting is filled with nuance and subtleties that are there to be observed and admired, it's so immersive and a great insight to his life.

Willem Dafoe perfectly embodies Van Gogh, he fills the screen with his gripping presence, through his performance we form an idea of what Van Gogh's life was like, he conveys emotions and ideas with mere mannerisms and he explores his pain and suffering to the fullest, Dafoe blow me away with his delivery here, absolutely flawless.

At eternity's gate is a prime example of how to tell one's story, through his passion and suffering, fascinating work this is, I absolutely enjoyed every second of it.… Expand

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5

The3AcademySinsDec 6, 2018

At Eternity's Gate is one of the most underwhelming movies I have seen in 2018. The pacing of the movie is glacially slow. Worse, the movie is completely unfocused. I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be about Van Gogh's last 80 days of hisAt Eternity's Gate is one of the most underwhelming movies I have seen in 2018. The pacing of the movie is glacially slow. Worse, the movie is completely unfocused. I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be about Van Gogh's last 80 days of his life, his Bi Polar Disorder, or Willem Da Foe running around in a field for almost two hours. The acting scenes were fine, particularly the scenes between Oscar Issac and Da Foe. The music is good, but unfortunately repetitive. The movie also does not earn it's ending, which is infuriating. This is something that I would MAYBE watch on Netflix or Hulu if I was a die hard Van Gogh fan, but other than that, I would skip this one. I honestly regret buying a ticket for this.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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1

YeetusMcGeetusDec 6, 2018

Apart from Willem Da Foe, this movie was one that I found unbearable. I fell asleep twice in the theater. I much preferred Loving Vincent, and I would recommend that movie instead if you really like Van Gogh.

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4

TVJerryDec 19, 2018

Vincent van Gogh is probably cinema's most popular painter. This time, Willem Dafoe takes on the role, guided by artist Julian Schnabel as director. This is not a straightforward biopic, but an artistic muse on the artist's process andVincent van Gogh is probably cinema's most popular painter. This time, Willem Dafoe takes on the role, guided by artist Julian Schnabel as director. This is not a straightforward biopic, but an artistic muse on the artist's process and personal issues. There's lots of him wandering thru nature accompanied by sometimes dramatic visuals. Some sequences are abrupt or confusing. Often, the jerky, hand-held, extreme close-up camerawork is bothersome. Other times, we get glimpses into some of his relationships and professional challenges. While Dafoe creates a compelling character, his director relies more on experimental, experiential filmmaking to create this frustrating and even tedious exercise.… Expand