Minelli's movie about Van Gogh is generally regarded as one of the best of all biopics, mainly because he plays it straight and 'psychologically' it's deeper than most movies of it's kind. But for that very reason it's also duller. Minelli has taken the excitement out of the material and if we wince when Van Gogh mutilates himself, it's only because we know what's coming.
Kirk Douglas plays Van Gogh in that tortured, melodramatic style he employed in "The Bad and the Beautiful" and Anthony Quinn won an Oscar for his memorably short performance as Gauguin. Visually, if you see it in a good widescreen print, it can be remarkable with Minelli employing his usual fidelity and good taste to recording the period. The paintings are the real McCoy.
Kirk Douglas plays Van Gogh in that tortured, melodramatic style he employed in "The Bad and the Beautiful" and Anthony Quinn won an Oscar for his memorably short performance as Gauguin. Visually, if you see it in a good widescreen print, it can be remarkable with Minelli employing his usual fidelity and good taste to recording the period. The paintings are the real McCoy.