Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaac and Mads Mikkelsen
‘A Brilliant Biopic’
Not many actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Willem Dafoe. Ever since his recognition in the 1980’s, Dafoe has become a beloved icon. Whether it is detectives inspecting murders, psychotic killers or green goblins, Dafoe has played several characters. Arguably, Dafoe’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a focus of a movie, Dafoe has often left a lasting impression. Although he is most well-known for his famous role as Green Goblin within the Spider-Man movies, Dafoe has proven he can make engaging movies in every genre. Throughout his long-lasting career, Dafoe has created several memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Dafoe and adore all films which he has made in his career. However, “At Eternity’s Gate” is certainly my favourite. Released in 2018, Julian Schnabel’s movie offered a beautiful tribute towards an iconic painter. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it is one of the best biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Willian Dafoe, who embodies a painter that endures sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “At Eternity’s Gate” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about painters, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about painting, there several strong reasons why “At Eternity’s Gate” is a film which is worth watching.
Set in France, “A Eternity’s Gate” tells story of an artist whose life begins to deteriorate. Willem Dafoe portrays Vincent Van Gogh, a prestigious artist with the love for painting which he admires dearly. Van Gogh had a lifelong passion for painting which he has always loved doing. However, Van Gogh’s life drastically changes when he suffers a painful illness causing disaster. Struggling to tell the difference between hallucinations and reality, Van Gogh questions his lifelong love for painting which he once had valued highly. As all the odds soon become stacked against his favour, Van Gogh is soon forced to wonder whether it’s possible for him to be a successful painter.
Julian Schnabel has always been fascinated with stories of artists. A fantastic filmmaker, Schnabel has often made engaging movies about painters that experience disaster. His award-winning movie “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” offered a powerful portrait of artists with grim disability. With “At Eternity’s Gate”, however, Schnabel made his first ever painting biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture a legacy of a legendary painter but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Schnabel conveys a painter’s journey. Emulating Jim Sheridan’s “My Left Foot”, Schnabel uses montages to capture a painter embarking upon journeys. For instance, montages enhance the paint scene. During this unforgettable scene, Van Gogh seeks to create his first ever painting. Using stunning montages, Schnabel crafts a portrait of art that’s compelling. Montage is a tricky technique. As Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” suggested, montages enhance commemorated comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Schnabel captures tensions which legendary painters are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “At Eternity’s Gate” that merits recognition is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Schnabel effectively uses costumes to capture the hardships of painters facing tension. Throughout the film, Van Gogh’s costumes showcase his drastic transformation into a painter. For instance, the costumes elevate the ear cutting scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Van Gogh faces tension when he cuts off his ear in a gruesome incident. Using strong costumes, Schnabel creates a portrait of painters that is engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Tatiana Lisovskaya’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing a burden that painters bear. Using strong production, Schnabel honours a legendary painter with a strong reputation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “At Eternity’s Gate” is a film about painting that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to illustrate a painter’s experience. Throughout the movie, Schnabel expertly uses silence to capture Van Gogh’s tragic experiences. For instance, silence elevates the painting reflections scene. During this unforgettable scene, Van Gogh reflects on his past life as a painter through a moment of silence. Through silence, Schnabel crafts a portrait of a painter that audiences relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to often use in film. As Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” suggested, silence enhances adaptations of feminist books. Josh Boone’s “The Fault in Our Stars” demonstrated silence enhances films about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using a bold screenplay, Schnabel honours a painter that is beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Willem Dafoe delivers one of his best career performances as Vincent Van Gogh. Dafoe achieved appreciation for playing villains in the Spider-Man movies. With “At Eternity’s Gate”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an iconic painter that built a lasting legacy but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Dafoe has always excelled at playing emotional heroes in pressure, and “At Eternity’s Gate” proved his strengths as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a commemorated painter. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most beloved actors today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Dafoe, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of appreciation. Oscar Isaac is outstanding, capturing charismatic nature of a painter that is under intense pressure. Mads Mikkelsen is magnificent, bringing a sense of compassion to a painter with an immense dedication toward his profession. Lastly, Rupert Friend merits appreciations. As Van Gogh’s brother, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “At Eternity’s Gate” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the struggle of painters which people celebrate. Unlike most films about painting, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses poignant themes including artistry, mental health and trauma that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of Van Gogh to admire it. Therefore, “At Eternity’s Gate” is one of those rare commemorated films about painters that everyone would adore.
Fans of Willem Dafoe will absolutely enjoy “At Eternity’s Gate” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about a legendary painter that changed the world forever, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with a charismatic nature that has excelled at portraying larger-than-life characters in unforgettable movies which audiences commonly treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 