Girl With a Pearl Earring

2003 | Docudrama | 100 minutes | English

Info

Griet, a young 17th-century girl, arrives in the household of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer in the city of Delft, to work as a maid. As Griet cleans Vermeer’s studio, she becomes fascinated by his artistry. Vermeer teaches her how to mix paints and helps her understand painting, light, and color. Vermeer’s rich patron, Pieter van Ruijven, notices Griet on a visit to the Vermeer household and he requests that Vermeer’s next painting be of Griet. Secretly, Vermeer begins working on the painting. He has Griet wear a blue headscarf and convinces her to pierce her ear so he can insert his wife’s pearl earring. When the painting is completed, Catharina, Vermeer’s wife is outraged. She not only is jealous and suspicious of their time together, but notices that Griet is wearing her earring. She calls the painting “obscene” and orders Griet to leave the house. The film ends with the full portrait display of the Girl With a Pearl Earring.

Cast

Colin Firth (Johannes Vermeer) / Scarlett Johansson (Griet) / Tom Wilkinson (Pieter van Ruijven) / Essie Davis (Catharina Vermeer)

Why Stream This Film?

It’s a riveting story beautifully told. But the film’s exquisite look, in the skilled hands of cinematographer Eduardo Serra, thoroughly captures the Vermeer painting. We can’t all go to the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague where the original is exhibited. But seeing Girl With a Pearl Earring film is second best.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 87%
Metacritic Score: 87

Accolades

Academy Awards: Nominated, Best Art Direction (Ben van Os); Best Cinematography (Eduardo Serra); Best Costume Design (Dien van Straalen)
British Academy Film Awards: Nominated, Best Film; Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson); Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Judy Parfitt); Best Cinematography (Eduardo Serra)
Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Winner, Best Cinematography (Eduardo Serra)