It's 1642. Famous Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn (Martin Freeman) is painting one of his most well known work, The Night Watch. He soon discovers a murder conspiracy among his rich merchant backers and incorporates it into his painting. He accuses them of murder causing indignant outrage.
The production is often done in the style of a Rembrandt painting. I'm lost. I can't follow these people. They just talk and talk and talk. It's reminiscent of Peter Greenaway's earlier movie "The Draughtsman's Contract". I have the same reservations for both movies but this one is more problematic. The movie should center on the conspiracy and the conspirators. Instead, it's centered on Rembrandt. I don't know who's who or what's what. I have no map to this movie, just a painting. Also, the act of painting can be very compelling. He's not painting. This only comes alive when he unveils his painting and it loudly fades away with a baby's scream. Rembrandt is not a compelling character in his own movie. The conspiracy could have been compelling.
The production is often done in the style of a Rembrandt painting. I'm lost. I can't follow these people. They just talk and talk and talk. It's reminiscent of Peter Greenaway's earlier movie "The Draughtsman's Contract". I have the same reservations for both movies but this one is more problematic. The movie should center on the conspiracy and the conspirators. Instead, it's centered on Rembrandt. I don't know who's who or what's what. I have no map to this movie, just a painting. Also, the act of painting can be very compelling. He's not painting. This only comes alive when he unveils his painting and it loudly fades away with a baby's scream. Rembrandt is not a compelling character in his own movie. The conspiracy could have been compelling.