Tim’s Vermeer: Blu-ray Review
The Movie:
Tim Jenison, a Texas-based inventor, attempts to solve one of the greatest mysteries in all art: How did Dutch master Johannes Vermeer manage to paint so photo-realistically 150 years before the invention of photography? Penn Jillette and Teller help Jenison on his journey. Spanning a decade, Jenison’s adventure takes him to Holland, on a pilgrimage to the North coast of Yorkshire to meet artist David Hockney, and eventually even to Buckingham Palace. The epic research project Jenison embarks on is as extraordinary as what he discovers.
The work of Johannes Vermeer is impressive to say the least and yet it has stumped the art world as far as the execution of his work. After hearing about this really unique documentary my interest was peaked and could not wait to see what the what it was all about. When you hear the names Penn and Teller you naturally don’t think of documentaries or painters for that matter but what we experience is doc that will surprise and question things that you may have thought you knew about history. When you hear the theories regarding the possible gadgets that Vermeer may have used to paint his photo realistic paintings you will automatically want to know more. By the time Jenison explains what he wants to do (recreate a Vermeer painting “The Music Lesson” using the same methods Vermeer did) then you’ll be hooked. My eyes were glued to the screen and I was absolutely floored by the technique. The most impressive part was that Jenison is not a painter at all and he was able to make an almost exact replica of the painter’s original work. In my opinion, the real story was the emotional toll that it took on Jenison to complete this “experiment”. After spending 180 days working on the painting and trying to make everything so precise according to the method you find him breaking down in tears. You wouldn’t think that sort of thing would have an impact on someone in that manner but after watch this excellently executed documentary then you’ll definitely understand. It really does make you think about our past and just how innovative some people could be WAY before the technology we have today. The one thing for sure is that Jenison won’t be recreating paintings like this again. Even if you aren’t interested in art, you’ll still be able to enjoy and be impressed by the technique. This is a must watch!
Special Features:
Toronto International Film Festival Q&A – A 20 minute feature with Penn & Teller, Tim Jenison, and Producer Farley Ziegler
Deleted Scenes – A pretty good amount of scenes here that I’m glad they cut. They would’ve just slowed the film down.
Extended & Alternate Scenes – The length of some of these scenes are crazy. Some of them add a bit more to existing scenes but were probably trimmed down to cut to a certain running time.
