ADVANCED ENGLISH Student Worksheet 1 Module 8 • Living Art Set A: Reading

Name: Reviews of the Movie Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) 100 minutes – Biography / Drama / Romance A young maid working in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his assistant and the model for one of his most famous works. Director: Writers: Tracy Chevalier (novel), Olivia Hetreed (screenplay) Actors: , and Tom Wilkinson

Review 1 Based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier, Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) tells the fictionalized story behind Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting of the same name.

Griet, a 16-year-old girl, is employed as a housemaid in the Vermeer household. As she cleans Vermeer’s studio, Griet becomes fascinated by the artist’s work. Noting her passion for art, Vermeer begins to take an interest in the young girl. Eventually, he paints her portrait, borrowing his wife’s precious pearl earring for Griet to wear while he paints her.

Scarlet Johansson‘s sensitive portrayal of Griet is exceptional. Although she has very little dialogue, she succeeds in creating a completely believable character. Colin Firth is also excellent as the moody and talented Vermeer.

The acting is not the only thing worth mentioning. The cinematography is also amazing and the soundtrack is wonderful.

However, those who read Chevalier’s book may find the movie disappointing. Important supporting characters from the novel have been removed and the ending has been changed. If you are a fan of the book, as I am, you may leave the movie theater feeling unsatisfied by the frustratingly inconclusive ending.

Review 2 Director Peter Webber’s movie Girl with a Pearl Earring is a remarkable achievement. Filmed on location in Holland and Luxembourg, the movie does a fine job of bringing 17th-century Holland to life. Its exquisite attention to detail also gives us excellent insight into Vermeer’s creative process.

Yet Girl with a Pearl Earring is much more than a work of historical fiction. ’s exquisite camera work makes the movie a visual delight. In fact, many of the frames remind us of Vermeer’s paintings.

What is more, tremendous acting performances ensure that the movie is full of sexual tension. The actors have created three-dimensional characters that are complex and fascinating.

Although the pace of the movie is unhurried, I was never bored. Girl with a Pearl Earring is a real treat!

Determining Positive and Negative Critique in Movie Reviews: Page 1 of 2 ADVANCED ENGLISH Student Worksheet 1 Module 8 • Living Art Set A: Reading

Name:

Reviews of the Movie Girl with a Pearl Earring (continued)

Review 3 Girl with a Pearl Earring is director Peter Webber’s first feature film. Previously known for his work as a director of British television, Webber has created a wonderful movie, in which he shows tremendous skill as a movie maker. Webber was an art major in college and his love of art and of Vermeer’s work comes across very clearly in this production. His emphasis on color and light and his positioning of the camera result in movie scenes that look like paintings themselves.

My only criticism of Girl with a Pearl Earring is that it is a little slow at times. Yet, it never becomes boring, thanks to Eduardo Serra’s compelling cinematography and an exceptional cast.

Scarlett Johansson, known for her role in Lost in Translation and many other movies, is one of the best actresses around. Johansson excels in a role in which she barely speaks. As a result of Johansson’s wonderful acting we are able to understand Griet’s thoughts, based mainly on her facial expressions and body language.

Review 4 Girl with a Pearl Earring is a slow-moving movie about a servant who doesn’t say or do very much. Although the ads for the movie present it as a piece about Vermeer’s obsession with his young servant girl, in reality the on-screen relationship comes across as pretty unexciting and bland. In fact, I had to work hard to stay awake.

That is not to say that the movie doesn’t have any strengths. The visual images are beautiful and the musical score is wonderful. The movie also succeeds in depicting 17th-century life in Holland very realistically. However, although the actors make an effort, their performances are not remarkable. We never become involved enough with the characters to actually care what happens to them. What’s more, there isn’t enough of a storyline to grab anyone’s attention.

Unlike Tracy Chevalier’s best-selling novel, which the film is based on, the movie is dull and uninteresting. In fact, when it finally ended after an excruciating one hour and 39 minutes, I couldn’t hide my relief. It is true that the movie has been well received by critics. Nevertheless, unless you are very interested in the history of art, I would certainly recommend skipping this one!

Determining Positive and Negative Critique in Movie Reviews: Page 2 of 2 ADVANCED ENGLISH Student Worksheet 2 Module 8 • Living Art Set A: Reading

Name: Using Reviews

PART 1 Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 Review 4

The acting

The work of the director The cinematography The pace of the movie The musical score How the movie compares to the novel it is based on

PART 2

Review 1

This review is generally positive / generally negative / mixed.

Suggested explanation

Review 2

This review is generally positive / generally negative / mixed.

Suggested explanation

Review 3

This review is generally positive / generally negative / mixed.

Suggested explanation

Review 4

This review is generally positive / generally negative / mixed.

Suggested explanation

Determining Positive and Negative Critique in Movie Reviews: Page 1 of 2 ADVANCED ENGLISH Student Worksheet 2 Module 8 • Living Art Set A: Reading

Name:

Using Reviews (continued)

PART 3 Imagine that eight people read reviews of Girl with a Pearl Earring online to see if the movie might interest them. Based on the descriptions of these eight people and their interests, which of them might be interested enough to read the reviews in depth, and watch the movie?

What might catch their eye when they first scan the review and help them decide whether or not to read on? Copy a relevant phrase from a review.

Would They Points in the Text Description of People See the Movie That May Help Them Decide (Yes or No)

David is from the U.K. He especially likes the work of British film directors.

Emily enjoyed the movie Lost in Translation years ago and she will watch any movie that the actress appears in.

Sara doesn’t like movies based on historical events. She prefers movies set in modern times.

As an art student, Greg particularly enjoys the work of classic artists.

Cathy gets bored easily. She can’t watch movies that are longer than 90 minutes.

Rachel’s hobby is photography, so she prefers to watch movies in which the cinematography is good.

Jack didn’t enjoy reading any of Tracy Chevalier’s books.

Paul is a big fan of Colin Firth.

Determining Positive and Negative Critique in Movie Reviews: Page 2 of 2