Where I Watched It: Tubi

English Audio Description Provided By: Zoo Digital

Written By TJ Riordan

Narrated By: Tanzi Alexander

I’m still trying to work Tubi in occasionally as they have started to offer audio description, and I really want to encourage that. I also want to encourage them to acquire audio description, because I’m deeply not interested in most of their originals. They sound terrible. But, Willem Dafoe in this got a ton of great reviews, and I didn’t watch it initially, and I’m super glad this is accessible.

Dafoe plays Vincent Van Gogh in a very indie/artsy film. of course, Van Gogh being an artist, it makes sense, but it’s perhaps even less accessible than films like pollock or Surviving Picasso, but I also think that is a films strength. Vincent is being compelled to draw and paint even though no one seems to enjoy his work, and he can’t sell any of it. He’s financially supported to some extent by his brother, but as the film progresses, the movie plays a lot with Van Gog’s sanity, including the famous ear incident.

What makes this film work so well, beyond the obvious commanding performance from Dafoe, is an absolutely gorgeous score. I’m obsessed with it. it isn’t a typical score, but Van Gogh isn’t a typical artist. The minimalism, and determination to not follow conventional norms, like a John Williams project, really makes this a stand out score. It’s haunting and elusively beautiful in a way that catches you off guard. Don’t expect to hear a full orchestra. I think scores like this far too often do not get the recognition they deserve.

RJ Riordan here is also a star, though sighted audience wouldn’t know it. His determination to capture the frame as artwork is felt and well translated to the screen by Tanzi Alexander. often there are quieter moments where Van Gogh is being visually consumed by the beauty around him, and Riordan really works to make sure that we are immersed as well in the glory of nature. Flowers and trees are done with such detail you’d think he was describing a painting. however, there are also plenty of scenes where Vincent is just having a conversation, and for a while the audio description drops out just like any other time.

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. I think it’s probably a one watch type film, but I really wouldn’t mind listening just to the score again. Dafoe is terrific, and this doesn’t need to fall through the cracks and be rediscovered years later. you can enjoy it now.

Final Grade: A-