Featured Audience Ratings

• Bruce B

  
  Another Independent Film from Monterey. Amin Mueller-Stahl plays his part nothing short of outstanding. This film is about a your art student who wants to study under the Russian Artist Nicholi Saroff, This is an excellent film based on a true story, John Talia spends the summer and… More
  Another Independent Film from Monterey. Amin Mueller-Stahl plays his part nothing short of outstanding. This film is about a your art student who wants to study under the Russian Artist Nicholi Saroff, This is an excellent film based on a true story, John Talia spends the summer and develops a friendship with Saroff. Very Enjoyable 5 Stars

• Leigh R

  
  Very intellectual film with beautiful artwork. Can be a bit boring in spots but was worth watching.

• Mark A

  
  This was a terrific film, based on a true story, concerning an untrained, struggling young artist who finds a mentor to help him understand what painting, and life, is all about. Marvelous performances from a wonderful cast that included Armin-Mueller-Stahl as the older, established… More
  This was a terrific film, based on a true story, concerning an untrained, struggling young artist who finds a mentor to help him understand what painting, and life, is all about. Marvelous performances from a wonderful cast that included Armin-Mueller-Stahl as the older, established and reclusive artist, Nicholai Seroff; Trevor Morgan as the young man, John; Samantha Mathis as Carla, a sad young woman who has faced a lot of tragedy in her life and who is friends with Nicholai; and Ray Liotta, Diana Scarwid, Charles Durning, and Ron Perlmen. The story was somewhat predictable and in some ways was quite similar in tone to Billy Elliot, with a father (Liotta) and mother (Scarwid) who don't understand thier son's passion, or his fascination with this older, Russian (and probably Commie), man who may or may not have ulterior motives in taking their son under his wing. But the excellent performances bring this off without resorting to stereotypes or to formula. Both men are landscape painters, primarily and there is some breathtaking scenery on display here. It was fascinating to watch the interplay between these two strong personalities, and to watch their relationship develop. The process of learning to "see" the world and to bring it to life under the brush was also fascinating. Ron Perlman was an absolute hoot as a pompous, effeminate art critic and dealer who was nevertheless friends with the great man. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.

• Daisy M

  
  Local Color was an enjoyable movie to watch. It brought you in to the world of painting and it was interested to see how they can put life on canvas. The characters struggled with their fears and shortcomings while following their dreams and doing anything to make them come true. The… More
  Local Color was an enjoyable movie to watch. It brought you in to the world of painting and it was interested to see how they can put life on canvas. The characters struggled with their fears and shortcomings while following their dreams and doing anything to make them come true. The movie made you laugh, because it had some funny moments and also made you feel the frustrations of the characters. The lead character John was faced with many difficult challenges as he struggled to become a respected painter, but as the movie progressed, he found real friendship in his teacher and he taught him to find confidence while expressing his feelings on canvas. A wonderful movie to watch.