Director: Penn & Teller
Starring: Tim Jenison, Penn Jillette
Runtime: 80 min
Rating: PG
Is getting a little assistance the same as cheating? If so, Tim Jenison may have just debunked the art of one of the most renowned painters of all time, Johannes Vermeer. Tim Jenison is an inventor who has discovered a tool that would explain the way in which Vermeer created his paintings: the use of a camera obscura and a mirror. In order to prove a point, Tim attempts to recreate a Vermeer for himself; a man who has never painted in his life tries to replicate the work of a legend. The film follows Tim’s work on his recreation of Vermeer’s The Piano Lesson. The film is extremely insightful, especially for anyone who has any knowledge of the history of art, or for anyone who enjoys conspiracy theories. Tim’s tool proves that nearly anyone can create a painting as astounding as a Vermeer. Whether Vermeer used this tool himself is the question; however, it is one that can never be answered, and it is astonishing to see the way in which someone could essentially cheat at a painting. Sprinkled with humour from both Tim and Penn Jillette, a friend who helps narrate the process, the film is vibrant and fun to watch. It does get a little slow and tedious at points, but this pace reflects the feeling that Tim has as he painfully forces himself to finish the work he has started. Tim’s Vermeer is a fun documentary for anyone who has interest in the art world, and anyone who has the time and energy to try to cheat a bit themselves.
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Photo Credit: Toronto International Film Festival
