AT ETERNITY'S GATE (2018)

2/13/19 - At Eternity’s Gate (2018) - 6-/10

Lushly displayed with lavish Defoe acting, but a little navel-gazing overall.  Schnabel utilizes his wide angle handycam look, similar to his The Diving Bell and the Butterfly as we follow along the ever skewing vision of Van Gogh. Artistic and appreciable, but a tad light overall.

While the cinematography is clever and succulent, with rich vibrant vistas, this film rests on every expressive wrinkle, searching gaze, or frantic expression from the marvelous Defoe. He really delivers with this role. Story-wise, beyond his onscreen presence though, is lacking. I feel that Loving Vincent from last year was a much more compelling Van Gogh tale and artistic cinematic achievement.

This is a film about the mental state of Vincent as he descends into an unfamiliar madness/unique worldview, but I was rarely emotionally invested in his journey. There is a clinical nature to the whole film that is oddly paired with the visual extravagance. I just found it pleasantly inert. It is a solid film and a lovely performance, but little more for me than a single view art piece.