At Eternity’s Gate

Drama | French with English subtitles | 110 minutes

Info

Vincent van Gogh’s last years are spent in Arles, the sunny part of France. His brother, Theo, supports Vincent and also buys him much-needed oil paint and brushes. When Vincent’s behavior becomes a problem, Theo asks friend and fellow artist Paul Gaugin to visit and cheer up Vincent. Gauguin does visit but after feuding with Vincent he suddenly decides to leave; Vincent is crushed and cuts off his ear. He is sent to a mental hospital. When he’s to be released, Arles refuses to take him so a sympathetic supervising pastor sends Vincent to another village. While painting in a courtyard of a deserted estate, two teenagers playing Cowboys-and-Indians with real guns, accidentally shoot Vincent. Medical help arrives; Theo is summoned. It’s too late. By the time Theo arrives, Vincent is dead. The film, according to Schnabel, takes the position that Vincent van Gogh did not commit suicide.

Cast

Willem Dafoe (Vincent van Gogh) / Rupert Friend (Theo van Gogh) / Oscar Isaac (Paul Gauguin)

Why Stream This Film?

This is not a typical biopic that aims to hit the high points of the main character’s life. It’s more of a psychological film helping us understand van Gogh’s mental state and how painting helped him survive. It’s a vivid, unforgettable look at an artist who confessed that “my paintings will be appreciated by the unborn.”

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 79%
Metacritic Score: 76

Accolades

Academy Awards: Nominated, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Willem Dafoe)
Venice Film Festival: Winner, Best Actor (Willem Dafoe)
National Society of Film Critics Awards: Nominated, Best Actor (Willem Dafoe)