I Love “Loving Vincent”

Most people know that Vincent Van Gogh painted the “Starry Night” and cut off his ear, but have you ever wondered how he died? Or, have you ever imagined what one of his 900 paintings would look or sound like if brought to life?

If you have, you might enjoy “Loving Vincent,” a film, directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, which explores Van Gogh’s death, as well as various details of his character and personal life.

The story unfolds along the path of Armand Roulin, the postmaster’s son, who is on a mission to deliver a letter from Vincent to his brother Theo. Throughout his journey, Roulin meets a range of colorful characters, each one leading him through an investigation of Van Gogh’s final days.

Almost all of the people and places in the film are based on illustrations that Van Gogh completed in his lifetime. These oil paintings come to life in this major motion picture animated in Van Gogh’s whimsical style of art.

I found that, due to this style of movie-making, it was a bit hard to understand some of the dialogue; there were moments in which conversation was overshadowed by scenery. However, the story was intriguing to follow, the animation was enchanting and I even recognized a few of the actors in the film.

After the credits, I was left sitting in the theater with a great sense of wonder and appreciation; wonder at the many questions the film asked of Van Gogh, his life and life itself, as well as appreciation for all that he had accomplished in his time.

“Loving Vincent” may seem very “hipster” from the title, but I believe that this film is for everybody. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the thrill of chasing a mystery, anyone interested in the elusive nature of art or someone who just wants something cool to talk about at their upcoming holiday party.