“Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti” | 2 out of 4 Stars | Rated R
By Kyle Osborne
Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Picasso: scores of biopics about noted artists have been made, but as I search my oft-failing memory for one that was 100% successful, none comes to mind. At least Gauguin is in good company. And with French actor Vincent Cassel in the lead? That’s a big plus.
As the title implies, “Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti”, limits its scope to just one portion of the artist’s life, though, in fairness, it was the period that produced his most well-known works. That’s also why it feels like the opening credits have barely faded before the French post-impressionist has abandoned his wife and five children in Paris, setting sail in 1891 for Tahiti. If you want more backstory, try Wikipedia.
Gauguin is convinced that he will find fortune and fame in the South Pacific. Instead, he finds inspiration in the form of a muse (Tuheï Adams) And here is where things are tricky-as charismatic and watchable as Cassel is, the truth is that “watching paint dry,” as it were, is not so cinematic. Or maybe “interesting” is the word.
Cassel plays Gauguin as driven and complicated, his steely blue eyes draw you in, and Tuheï Adams is beautiful and soulful. With anyone less interesting to watch, the film would have been, um, well…less watchable.
As it stands, “Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti” ends up being respectable art, but falls far short of being a masterpiece.
“Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti” in French with English susbtitles. Rated R for brief, tasteful nudity. 102 minutes.
Did you see last year’s “Final Portrait” with Geoffrey Rush?
Really enjoyed it.
J. Morris