MovieChat Forums > Lust for Life (1956) Discussion > Vincent Portrayal

Vincent Portrayal

posted 16 years ago by clarencejr
5 replies | jump to latest

I really appreciate the talents of Kirk Douglas, but I feel that his (Kirk's) genuineness and kindness got in the way of his portrayal of Van Gogh. He seemed way to eager to please, not at all the artist I have imagined Vincent to be. Even between his relationships with other artists, this film depicts a very weak and impressionable man. But a very kind man. I hope that Vincent was half as sane as this portrayal. I think Vincent Van Gogh was a tremendously talented man, who maybe could of benefited by the "then" teachings of Buddha, as opposed to the God fearing doctrines he was earlier trying to minster. We will never understand who Vincent Van Gogh really was, between the the absinth and the anxiety, but clearly he was human. And not a Hollywood depiction. No offense, Kirk.

[–] ContinentalOp 16 years ago

I agree.

On the topic of Kirk's portrayal, I did feel it was realistic and excellent and I think it is unfortunately impossible to play the role in a non-Hollywood fashion due to the fact that he has been dead for too long and only very old people remembered him at the time the film was made.

I also agree with you about Buddhism.

"Jai Guru Deva, Om"

[–] parousia1959 15 years ago

I have to disagree with the statement "God fearing doctrines". He had no problems with God but with hypocrits who lorded over the people. He loved God and people but didn't know how to serve both as Jesus did. He said it perfectly when he told his father that man can serve God in different ways " from the pulpit, to a painting" something to that effect. I really believe his real problem was with the Absinth and possibly the turpentine. I have compared the true teachings of Buddha and of Jesus and find them both very similar and uncomplicated, it is the way we interpret their messages that gets many in trouble.

I cheese sandwich you

[–] greenbudgie 10 years ago

I was pleased with Kirk Douglas's portrayal of the painter. He did really look like that certain Van Gogh self portrait. Lookalikes always please me. They make any biopic films that more convincing.

[–] fanaticita 9 years ago

As I wrote in another post, Douglas was good for the most part as Van Gogh, but I felt his portrayed him as way too needy. and that is why I preferred the other biopic Vincent and Theo, with Tim Roth as Vincent.

[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

I'll look forward to hopefully seeing 'Vincent and Theo' sometime. I'd like to see more of Vincent's relationship with his brother in that one.