Lust for Life

Lust for Life (1956)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (10 reviews)

  • 78% of users liked it
    (2,999 ratings)

This filmed biography of Vincent Van Gogh was adapted by Norman Corwin from the best-selling novel by Irving Stone, which was in turn inspired by the written correspondence between Van Gogh and his brother Theo. Kirk Douglas plays the tormented genius, whose obsessive devotion to his art engulfs,… More

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PG,
Directed By
,
Written By
Norman Corwin
Genres
Drama, Classics
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1956 Wide
MGM

Critic Reviews

  • Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

    One of Minnelli's best pictures, a visually stunning portrait of Van Gogh, splendidly played by Kirk Douglas

  • Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

    Horrifying - but informative - tragic biography of Van Gogh, with a look at his painting technique and location filming of the places he lived.

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    A competently made and acted biopic on the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh (Kirk Douglas), that's nevertheless uninspiring.

  • Emanuel Levy, Screendaily

    Minnelli's most visually evocative and most personal film--the only project he initiated during his tenure at MGM--centers on Van Gogh as a tormented, uncompromising artist, magnificently played by Kirk Douglas.

  • John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

    ...a fairly true account of the artist's life, and as such continues to entertain and enlighten, even if it doesn't entirely uplift.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Adriel Denzel L


    Fantastic as classic movies get. Well acted, well scripted, shot vibrantly and as impressionable in memory as films go as van Gogh's paintings spinning a classic tale of human drama that is moving, meditative, endearing and fulfilling of the heart.

  • Universal D


    Pretty to look at? You betcha! Its about Dutch painter numero uno, duh. Informative? Are you kiddin'? Did you know a lot of famous artists hung out in Paris? Yep. So why's this fail to connect? Kirk is there, wringin' his hands every chance he gets. Quinn is… More

  • AJ V


    Douglas plays Van Gogh, and does a great job, if only the rest of the cast were as good as him, this would be a fantastic movie. Still I really liked it, and if you like Douglas you should see his performance in this movie.

  • xGary X


    Quality biopic of Vincent Van Gogh featuring an intense if slightly affected performance by Kirk Douglas as the tortured artist. Nice painterly cinematography and a genuine reverance for the man and his work make for a fascinating insight into the genius, and there's a great… More

  • Cinema F


    Who hasn't heard of the (supposedly) crazy Dutchman who cut off his ear, and then shot himself in a wheat field while painting his last work? This film spans the last seven years of Vincent Van Gogh's life (c1883-90), the period of his almost unbearably intense… More

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Cast

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