Vincent and Theo (1990)

87% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(2,220 ratings)

The relationship between the obsessive, brilliant painter Vincent Van Gogh and his more practical brother Theo is at the center of director Robert Altman's well-received biography, originally produced as a miniseries for European television. Now universally acknowledged as masterpieces, Vincent Van… More The relationship between the obsessive, brilliant painter Vincent Van Gogh and his more practical brother Theo is at the center of director Robert Altman's well-received biography, originally produced as a miniseries for European television. Now universally acknowledged as masterpieces, Vincent Van Gogh's works were ignored in his lifetime, despite the best efforts of Theo, a struggling gallery owner. When he fails to make a profit from his brother's work, Theo finds himself torn between art and commerce, a conflict deepened by Vincent's increasing emotional neediness. Soon, the situation worsens, and both brothers are forced to struggle with depression and madness. Altman's distinctive directorial approach avoids clichés, allowing his leads to create contradictory and sometimes unlikable characters. Tim Roth captures Vincent's devotion to his art, his difficult personality, and his descent into mental illness without resorting to histrionics, while Paul Rhys provides equally proficient work as the more repressed Theo. The cinematography by Jean Lepine illuminates the links between Altman's trademark wandering camera and Van Gogh's impressionistic painting style. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Robert Altman
Written By: Julian Mitchell
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 2, 1990 Limited
On DVD: Aug 23, 2005
Studio: Hemdale Film Corporation

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This was Altman's most watchable theatrical feature in about a decade, and the actors always keep you guessing.
Variety Staff, Variety
This masterwork operates in the intimate, thoughtful vein of the great BBC bios of artistic figures.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
[A] film that generates the feeling that we are in the presence of a man in the act of creation.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The enjoyment in Vincent and Theo comes more from the director's attention to art history than from his ability to interpret it anew.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
An Altman masterpiece.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
This lovely if deliberate film marks Altman's return to a more straightforward, but by no means expected, style.
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine
In nearly two and a half hours you expect more.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
An absorbing, disturbing study.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Nowhere does Altman sermonise about the artist's greatness; his achievement is allowed to speak for itself. If only more film-makers had such confidence and integrity.
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
Finds a fine merging of means, subject, place and structure.
Greg Malon, Filmcritic.com
a humanistic exposition akin to Surviving Picasso and Pollock
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Contains just the right mix of drama, visual richness and psychological nuance.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Altman tackles the monumental story of Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo and, for the most part, comes up a winner.
, Film4
Altman's palette is neatly matched to Vincent's, and there's a refreshing depth and complexity to the visuals.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
Brilliant performances, great use of color.
F.X. Feeney, Movieline
Robert Altman's finest film since McCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Vincent and Theo" starts out with a modern day auction of paintings by Vincent van Gogh going for a fortune, then fades to Vincent(Tim Roth), a struggling painter in his native Holland talking to his brother, Theo(Paul Rhys), an art dealer living in… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Vincent and Theo" starts out with a modern day auction of paintings by Vincent van Gogh going for a fortune, then fades to Vincent(Tim Roth), a struggling painter in his native Holland talking to his brother, Theo(Paul Rhys), an art dealer living in Paris. Vincent is barely surviving on what allowance his brother can give to him. Even through all of this, Vincent shacks up with a prostitute/model, Sien(JIp Wijngaarden).[/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Vincent and Theo" is a biopic that aims to focus on the relationship between Vincent and Theo van Gogh but there is too little of that in the film.(What there is, is similar to that of a banker to a customer.) This approach puts too much emphasis on the none-too-interesting personal life of Theo. However, Tim Roth does give a great performance as the troubled painter but it is unsettling having the leads played by two British actors while most of the supporting characters are played by Dutch and French actors.[/font] [font=Century Gothic]The movie also seeks to take a more authentic approach to the life of Vincent van Gogh than previous movies might have.(I saw "Lust for Life" but too long ago to really comment on it.) In this movie, van Gogh is a painter who goes against the fashion of the day and takes more interest in real life than in still life.(For example, he paints Sien squatting over a chamber pot.) But it does not go far enough and simply comes off as stodgy.[/font]
Anthony V

Excellent portrayal of the troubled artist and his brother.
Ashton R

Once again I am AMAZED at Tim Roth's acting ability. I totally forgot he was an actor in this flick; he was so believable as Vincent Van Gogh that it was almost scary. Paul Rhys was also great as Theo, and you could really feel his love and frustration towards Vincent. It… More
Once again I am AMAZED at Tim Roth's acting ability. I totally forgot he was an actor in this flick; he was so believable as Vincent Van Gogh that it was almost scary. Paul Rhys was also great as Theo, and you could really feel his love and frustration towards Vincent. It wasn't slow, (which I thought it would be) and was pretty well paced; it held my attention the whole time. It also turned out to be a pretty gritty, which was a pleasant surprise. Oh, and the music; just stunning and haunting. The score really did a spectacular job setting the atmosphere of the whole flick. In every aspect this was a brilliant film; one of my new all time faves.