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Girl With a Pearl Earring

6.4

17,658

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Original title

Girl With a Pearl Earring

Year

2003

Running time

96 min.

Country

United Kingdom

Director

Peter Webber

Screenwriter

Olivia Hetreed

Cast

Music

Alexandre Desplat

Cinematography

Eduardo Serra

Producer

Archer Street Limited, Delux Productions, Pathé, Film Fund Luxembourg, Wild Bear Films, UK Film Council

Genre

Drama | 17th Century. Painting

Synopsis

Delft, Holland, 1665. After her father is blinded in an explosion, 17-year-old Griet (Scarlett Johansson) must work to support her family. She becomes a maid in the home of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth) and gradually attracts the master painter’s attention. Though worlds apart in upbringing, education and social standing, Vermeer recognizes Griet’s intuitive understanding of color and light and slowly draws her into the mysterious world of his paintings. Vermeer is a perfectionist, often taking months to finish a painting. His shrewish mother-in-law struggles to maintain the family’s lavish lifestyle on the income from his meagre output. Seeing that Griet inspires Vermeer, she takes the dangerous decision to allow their clandestine relationship to develop.
Griet also contends with the attentions of Vermeer’s patron, the wealthy and lascivious Master van Ruijven, who is frustrated that his money does not buy him control over the artist. While Griet falls increasingly under Vermeer’s spell, she cannot be sure of his feelings for her. The Machiavellian van Ruijven, sensing the intimacy between master and maid, gleefully contrives a commission for Vermeer to paint Griet alone. The result will be one of the greatest paintings ever created, but at what cost?

Awards: 2003: 3 Nominations for Oscar: Best Cinematography, Costume Design, Art Direction

2003: 2 Nominations for Golden Globe: Best OST, Actress Drama (Scarlett Johansson)

2003: 10 Nominations for BAFTA, including Best British Film and Actress (Johansson)

2003: National Board of Review: Special Recognition

2003: San Sebastian: Best Cinematography

2003: Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Cinematography & New Generation Award

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Ranking Lists Position

66 My Top 10 Movies from 2003 (33)

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Girl With a Pearl Earring

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