After seeing too much of Modern Day Colin Firth, I thought I was going to forever pine his obvious absence in period movies. I loved him as Earl of Wessex in Shakespeare in Love; and of course Elizabeth Bennet’s Mr. Darcy in BBC’s Pride & Prejudice. No doubt he reprised his role in The Bridget Jones’ Diary but I rather hear him rambling in proses than bumbling english-accented Spanish to his former housekeep.
In Girl with a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth is back in his boots; and a storyline almost like his bit in Love Actually.. He’s Johannes Vemeer; Master of the house/artist/painter extraordinaire; and she is the Maid; with the most luscious lips since Angelina Jolie in Gia. All this is set in Holland in the 17th century. Yes – the time when a gentleman would be so satisfied just to be able to make a maiden smile; where the mere sight of her beautiful red tresses could cause a riot in the heart. The whole seduction is really just an imagined, intriguing story behind one of Vemeer’s greatest and most enigmatic painting (hence the Title).
Seduction. It’s a very fierce word. The relationship between the Master and the Maid is extremely intense and intimate; so much so that I kept saying “ohmygodkissalready!” – it doesn’t happen. The entire household is crumbling on a scandal that never happened. He loves his wife. The maid gets frustrated, finds the butcherboy who’s been holding a candle for her – and they fornicate. Yes, they did. I spent the entire movie fixated on Scarlett Johansson’s lips; just as I did when I saw The Perfect Score and Lost in Translation. Colin Firth is always worth watching. This movie was nominated by the Academy for best Art Direction and best Cinematoghraphy in the 2004 Oscars; and if anyone is tired of bluescreen horror, comic-book superhero, talking donkey, Aunt Petunias or even metal breastplates; watch this one. It will most definitely be worth your six ringgits.
