Rembrandt (1999) User Reviews

Esthetic and cold as a still life painting

[richard-149 · 5/10 · 9 September 1999]

This is a very conventional biographic movie. It looks like all the money and efforts have been invested in recreating the paintings of Rembrandt, the decoration, the costumes, but unfortunately, less attention was devoted to finding the soul, to explore new ways to illustrate the success then the misfortune of a genius unfit to live in his own era. The characters are barely sketched, the actors seem to concentrate on looking like the originals -which is well achieved, especially by Rembrandt's wife - but they forget to act, to live. And don't expect any explanation about the nature of the Rembrandt's genius, about the great debates of the 17th Century or the social life in the Netherlands at that time. My guess is that this cold movie will soon be forgotten.

Biopic

[sergelamarche · 7/10 · 3 March 2022]

Surprisingly good film with many period details. Paintings details are also stunning. Well done. Maybe a bit of TV movie quality with parts said as shortcuts.

You are invited to step into a Rembrandt painting and live in it for 106 minutes

[ursulahemard · 10/10 · 8 May 2015]

Absolutely loved it! I can't fathom why movies like this are not well known to the masses. Rembrandt's life from his mid 20's to his death played by Klaus Maria Brandauer is a bulls- eye. He is one of the most talented, prolific and high caliber contemporary Austrian actors and I always loved his performances on stage and on screen. He is mesmerising and believably characterises the artist. The movie is biographically and historically totally accurate which I appreciate enormously. I loved the didactic story telling, this is how an intelligent BIOPIC ought to be. All acting is fittingly theatrical and very well cast with many very well known French actors. The cinematography is astounding; colours and lighting are sumptuous just like Rembrandt's paintings. Many everyday scenes are staged as if coordinated after the painters works which means that the 'trompe-l'oeil' dioramas are perfectly orchestrated, much to my personal ravishment. Many of Rembrandt's canvasses are depicted and some even with a 'mise-en-scène' how they came to be. Beautiful! Important historical figurers are interacting with Rembrandt and teach us about his life and his character development. We learn about his triumphs, tragedies and important female relationships through an arty movie which transfers us into the 17th century Dutch Republic accompanied with a perfectly chosen score. Highly recommended to Art-Freaks and Movie-Buffs!

Visually impressive biopic

[gtran · 27 September 1999]

Directed by painter Charles Matton, "Rembrandt" is a visually impressive film about Rembrandt's life. Like many biopics, there are too many events crammed into it, and little room is left for character development (characters pop up, have a few scenes and disappear). It will be disappointing if you expect a vision of a painter at work (like Clouzot's "Mystère Picasso"). However, the representation of the 17th Century Dutch society is both well-researched and a visual treat. The movie does a great job of being faithful to Rembrandt's vision, and is eventually much more moving and fascinating than the average "tormented painter" film.