|
|
Article: `Vincent': Vapid van Gogh
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- November 5, 1988
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
Only a few of Vincent van Gogh's letters can be read in a single
sitting-they're too punishing and full of broken genius to expose
yourself to for long. "Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent van
Gogh" is made up entirely of the artist's correspondence, all written
to his brother Theo from 1872 until his death 18 years later, and
with this as a text, it's impossible for it not to have some
greatness.
So why is it such a chore to sit through?
The Dutch-born director Paul Cox has conceived of his project as
an homage to the painter on the occasion of the centenary of his
death, and though certainly the spirit of celebration is strong, his
conception is not. What we have in "Vincent" are ...